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DUl 


SIMCOE'S  MILITARY  JOURNAL. 


A  HISTORY  OF  THE  OPERATIONS 


OP  A 


PARTISAN  CORPS, 


THE  QUEEN'S  RANGERS, 


COHMANDBO  BT 


LIEUT.  COL.  J.  G.  SIMCOE, 

DURING  THE  WAR  OP  THE  AMERICAN  REVOLUTION; 

ILLUSTRATED  BY  TEN  ENGRAVED  PL.VNS  OF  ACTIONS,  fcc. 

NOW  FIRST  PUBLISHED, 

wiTn 

A  MEMOIR  OF  THE   AUTHOR 

MS 

OTHER  ADDITIONS. 


i 


it 


m 


NEW- YORK: 
BARTLETT   &   WELFORD. 

1844. 


ri:t-.| 

''1 


[Entered  according  to  the  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1843,  by  Bartlett  & 
Welford,  in  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court  of  the  Southern  District  of 
New- York. 


WILMAM  VAN  NORDKN,    PRINT. 

49  Liberty-st.,  New  York. 


PAf\P 

t— 


'-tk 


vfj 


*'.:: 


:>' 


PREFACE. 


The  military  journal  of  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe,  now  first 
published,  was  privately  printed  by  the  author  in  1787, 
for  distribution  among  a  few  of  his  personal  friends. 
The  production  has  hitherto,  it  would  seem,  entirely 
escaped  the  attention  of  those  who  are  curious  in  the 
history  of  our  Revolutionary  War.  As  a  record  of 
some  interesting  particulars  and  local  occurrences  of 
that  memorable  struggle,  and  as  a  well  written  docu- 
mentary illustration  of  the  times  and  the  circumstan- 
ces of  the  American  Rebellion,  it  deserves  circulation 
and  favour.  The  fortunate  procurement  of  a  copy  of 
the  work  in  London  enables  the  publishers  to  present 
it  in  an  edition  securing  its  preservation  and  facilita- 
ting a  general  knowledge  of  its  contents. 


■mm 


A  memoir  of  so  much  of  the  author's  life  as  is  not 
exhibited  in  his  journal,  it  is  thought,  will  interest  the 
reader  and  increase  the  permanent  value  of  the  vol- 
ume. Accordingly  such  a  memoir  has  been  prepared 
from  available  and  authentic  materials,  and,  by  way  of 


•::^ 


'     m 


IV 


PREFACE. 


introduction,  may  serve  to  fill  out  the  history  of  the 
commander  of  the  Queen's  Rangers,  presenting  also  a 
few  facts  concerning  the  corps  not  otherwise  appear- 
ing. Not  to  extend  that  portion  of  the  publication  too 
far,  however,  various  relevant  quotations  from  differ- 
ent sources,  interesting  essentially,  and  expleti/e  in 
their  character,  are  thrown  into  the  appendix  in  ad- 
dition to  what  the  journalist  has  given  in  that  form 
himself. 

New  York,  December ,  1843. 


of  the 
also  a 
ppear- 
on  too 
(iiffer- 
ti/e  in 
in  ad- 
,t  form 


^ 


:i 


MEMOIR  OF  THE  AUTHOR. 


In  the  church  of  St.  Andrew,  town  of  Cotterstock,  North- 
amptonshire, England,  is  erected  a  white  marble  monument 
bearing  this  epitaph : — 

"  To  the  memory  of  John  Simcoe,  Esq.,  late  commander 
of  his  Majesty's  ship  Pembroke,  who  died  in  the  royal  ser- 
vice, upon  the  important  expedition  against  Quebec,  in 
North  America,  in  the  year  1759,  aged  45  years.  He  spent 
the  greatest  part  of  his  life  in  the  service  of  his  king  and 
country,  preferring  the  good  of  both  to  all  private  views. 
He  was  an  officer  esteemed  for  his  great  abilities  in  naval 
and  military  affairs,  of  unquestioned  bravery,  and  unweari- 
ed diligence.  He  was  an  indulgent  husband,  a  tender  pa- 
rent, and  sincere  friend ;  generous,  humane  and  benevolent 
to  all ;  so  that  his  loss  to  the  public,  as  well  as  to  his  friends, 
cannot  be  too  much  regretted.  This  monument  was,  in 
honour  to  his  memory,  erected  by  his  disconsolate  wife, 
Catharine  Simcoe,  1760." 

Captain  Simcoe,  of  the  navy,  was  a  native  of  Northamp- 
tonshire, and,  after  a  life  most  honourably  employed  in  the 
service  of  his  country,  closed  his  career  in  the  profession 
which  seemed  to  promise  him  much  renown  and  advance- 
ment, leaving  a  widow  and  two  infant  sons,  the  eldest  of 
whom  was  John  Graves  Simcoe,  the  subject  of  this  memoir, 
then  about  seven  years  of  age. 

Though  bred  in  the  navy,  and  highly  esteemed  as  an  ex- 
cellent officer.  Captain  Simcoe  was  peculiarly  partial  to  the 
military  service,  and  is  said  to  have  left  behind  him  a  valu- 
able  treatise  on  tactics  in  that  profession.    The  most  striking 


m 

PI 


'i/:'^ 


!'■'  '':A 


I? 


"ik 


MEMOIR  OP  THE  AUTHOR. 


occurrence  of  his  life  arose  however,  it  is  said,  from  an  acci- 
dent, improved  in  a  manner  peculiar  to  genius  and  extensive    , 
professional  knowledge.    The  story  is  that  he  was  taken 
prisoner  by  the  French,  in  America,  and  carried  up  the  river 
St.  Lawrence.     As  his  character  was  little  known,  he  was 
watched  only  to  prevent  his  escape  ;  but,  from  his  observa- 
tions in  the  voyage  to  Quebec,  and  the  little  incidental  infor- 
mation he  was  able  to  obtain,  he  constructed  a  chart  of  that 
river,  and  carried  up  General  Wolfe  to  his  famous  attack 
upon  the  Canadian  capital.    He  was  promoted  to  a  cap- 
taincy in  1743,*  at  the  age  of  twenty-nine.    Upon  the  trial 
of  Admiral  Bjiig  in  1756-7,  he  served  as  a  member  of  the 
court  martial  convened  for  that  purpose,t  and  was  then 
aged  forty-two  years. 

The  widowed  mother  with  her  two  sons,  soon  after  their 
father's  death,  removed  to  Exeter,  and  our  author  received 
the  first  part  of  his  education  at  the  free  grammar  school  of 
that  town.  His  younger  brother  was  unfortunately  drowned 
in  his  childhood.  The  earliest  years  of  the  young  soldier 
were  rather  solid  than  brilliant,  though  he  possessed  both 
spirit  and  emulation,  and  was  in  the  foremost  rank  among 
his  fellows.  But  though  a  school-boy,  his  acquisitions  in 
some  departments  of  knowledge  w^ere  of  a  superior  kind. 
At  an  early  age  he  had  read  Homer  in  Pope's  translation  ; 
and  in  his  boyish  days  acted  with  his  companions  the  scenes 
of  the  lUiad.  He  was  not  slightly  versed  in  modern  history, 
and  already  devoured  with  eagerness  every  tale  of  war.  At 
about  the  age  of  fourteen,  he  was  removed  to  Eton  school, 
and  from  thence  in  due  course  to  Merton  College,  Oxford. 

But  the  military  ardour  of  young  Simcoe,  which  so  early 
sparkled,  soon  blew  into  a  flame,  and,  at  the  age  of  nineteen, 
he  obtained  an  ensign's  commission  in  the  35th  regiment,  an 
event  probably  hastened  by  the  impending  hostilities  with 


*  Chnmock's  Biographia  Navalis,  Vol.  5. 

t  Ibidem,  and  Beataon's  Naval  and  Military  Memoirs,  Vol.  3. 


MEMOIR  OF  THE  AUTHOR. 


VII 


America.  He  did  not  embark  from  England  with  his  regi- 
ment, but  he  landed  at  Boston  on  the  memorable  day  of  tlu; 
battle  of  Bunker's  Hill.  He  soon  afterwards  acted  as  adju- 
tant of  the  35th  regiment,  but  it  does  not  appear  that  he 
ever  was  actually  appointed  to  this  office  ;  and  at  no  distant 
period  purchased  command  of  a  company  in  the  40th,  which 
he  led  at  the  battle  of  Brandywine,  where  he  was  wounded. 

Captain  Simcoe  was  always  a  soldier  in  his  heart,  and 
attentive  to  every  part  of  his  duty.     He  already  saw  that 
regularity  in  the  interior  economy  of  a  soldier's  life  contri- 
buted to  his;  health,  and  estimate^  the  attention  of  the  infe- 
rior officers  by  the  strength  of  a  company  or  a  regiment  in 
the  field.    His  ambition  invariably  led  him  to  aspire  at  com- 
mand; and  even  when  the  army  first  landed  at  Staten 
Island  he  went  to  New  York  to  request  the  command  of  the 
Queen's  Rangers,  a  provincial  corps  then  newly  raised, 
which  he  did  not  finally  obtain  until  after  the  battle  of  Bran- 
dyAvine,  in  October,  1777.    He  knew  that  common  opinion 
had  imprinted  on  the  partisan  the  most  dishonourable  stain, 
and  associated  the  idea  with  that  of  dishonesty,  rapine,  and 
falsehood.     Yet,  on  the  other  hand,  he  also  knew  that  the 
command  of  a  light  corps  had  been  considered  as  the  best 
source  of  instruction,  as  a  means  of  acquiring  a  habit  of 
self-dependence  for  resources,  and  of  prompt  decision  so  pe- 
culiarly requisite  in  trusts  of  importance. 

The  corps  of  Rangf  rs  claimed  all  the  attention  of  the  now 
Major-commandant  Simcoe,  and  contributed  greatly  to  less- 
en his  paternal  fortune,  for  though  warmly  alive  to  the  in- 
terests of  others,  he  was  always  inattentive  to  his  own.  We 
find  in  Rivington's  Royal  Gazette,  printed  at  New  York  dur- 
ing the  presence  of  the  British  army  in  the  city,  an  adver- 
tisement for  recruits  somewhat  significant  of  the  care  and 
expense  bestowed  upon  the  equipment  of  this  effective  band 
of  partisans.    It  is  as  follows : — 


im 

m 

m 


;l , 


viii 


MEMOIR  OP  THE  AUTHOR. 


"ALL  ASPIRING  HEROES 
Have  now  an  opportunity  of  distinguishing  themselves  by- 
joining 
THE  QUEEN'S  RANGER  HUZZARS, 
Commanded  by 
Lieutenant-Colonel  Simcoe. 
Any  spirited  young  man  will  receive  every  encourage- 
ment, be  immediately  mounted  on  an  elegant  horse,  and  fur- 
nished with  clothing,  accoutrements,  &c.,  to  the  amount  of 
forty  guineas,  by  applying  to  Cornet  Spencer,  at  his  quar- 
ters, No.  1033  Water  street,  or  his  rendezvous,  Hewitt's 
Tavern,  near  the  Coffee  House,  and  the  defeat  at  Brandy- 
wine,  on  Golden  Hill. 

DC/"  Whoever  brings  a  Recruit  shall  instantly  receive 
TWO  GUINEAS. 

VivANT  Rex  et  Reoina." 

The  Rangers  were  disciplined,  not  for  parade,  but  for  ac- 
tive service.  They  were  never  to  march  in  slow  time ;  were 
directed  to  fire  with  precision  an-i  steadiness ;  to  wield  the 
bayonet  with  force  and  eflfect ;  to  disperse  and  rally  with 
rapidity.  In  short,  in  the  instructions  for  the  management 
of  the  corps,  its  commander  seems  to  have  anticipated  the 
more  modern  tactics  of  the  French  army . 

The  deeds  and  adventures  of  Colonel  Simcoe  and  his 
Rangers  during  the  War  of  Independence,  need  not  be  told 
here :  his  journal  of  their  campaigns  is  before  the  reader — 
"  written,"  it  is  said,  "  with  the  simplicity  of  Caesar  and  Xen- 
ophon."  Being  stationed  with  his  corps  at  Gloucester  Point, 
opposite  York  Town,  when  the  latter  place  was  beseiged  by 
the  allied  French  and  American  forces,  the  Queen's  Rangers 
and  their  commander  were  included  in  the  surrender  of  the 
army  of  Comwallis.  Colonel  Simcoe,  in  ill  health,  equally 
the  result  of  excessive  fatigue  from  his  arduous  services, 
and  of  vexation  at  the  inglorious  fate  of  his  cherished  sol- 
diers, was  sent  away  in  the  Bonetta  sloop  of  war,  which,  by 


his 
told 


MEMOIR  OF  THE  AUTHOR. 


IX 


h,by 


an  article  of  the  capitulation  the  British  reserved  to  trans- 
port their  sick  and  disabled  to  New  York  city,  to  be  exchang- 
ed as  prisoners  of  war.  The  famed  Queen's  Rangers  were 
never,  as  their  enthusiastic  leader  had  fondly  hoped,  re-as- 
sembled under  his  command.  The  officers  of  the  corps  were 
afterwards  put  on  the  half-pay  list,  and  their  provincial  rank 
was  made  permanent  in  the  regular  British  army. 

The  capture  at  York  Tovm  being  essentially  an  end  of  the 
war,  Colonel  Simcoe  returned  to  England  greatly  exhausted, 
and  his  constitution  considerably  impaired.  He  was  receiv- 
ed with  the  most  gracious  attention  by  the  King,  by  his 
friends  with  the  most  ardent  affection,  by  the  companions  of 
his  toils  and  dangers  with  the  sincerest  congratulation.  The 
services  he  had  performed  being  not  unknown  to  his  Sove- 
reign he  was  appointed  Lieutenant-Colonel  commandant  to  a 
corps  to  be  raised  in  Canada,  to  which  he  gave  the  name  of 
the  Queen's  Rangers. 

The  profession  of  a  high  principle  of  soldierly  honour,  of 
ardent  attachment  to  military  life,  and  the  claim  of  credit 
for  his  Rangers,  which  occur  in  the  Journal  of  the  brave 
Simcoe,  may  be  considered  fully  warrantable.  Stedman,  a 
British  historian  of  the  War  of  Independence,  who  himself 
served  during  its  campaigns,  makes  frequent  and  honoura- 
ble mention  of  the  corps  and  its  commander.*  Tarteton, 
who  was  engaged  in  the  same  kind  of  service,  mostly  in  the 
southern  department,  corroborates  whatever  of  Simcoe's 
narrative  comes  within  the  scope  of  his  own  history f  of  the 
'  British  Legion'  which  he  commanded.  Sir  Henry  Clinton's 
letter  to  Lord  George  Germaine  may  be  quoted  as  sufficient 
authority  for  the  value  attached  to  his  services  by  his  supe- 
riors in  rank : 

"  Lieut.  Col.  Simcoe  has  been  at  the  head  of  a  battalion 
since  October,  1777  ;  and  since  that  time  has  been  the  per- 

♦  History  of  the  American  War,  2  Vols.  4to.  London,  1794. 
+  History  of  the  Campaigns  of  1780  and  1781,  ui  the  Southern  Provinces,  &c.,  4to< 
London,  1787. 


f 


1 


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■'.  'l  . 


!1 


X  MEMOIR  OF  THE  AUTHOR. 

petual  advance  of  the  army.  The  history  of  the  corps  un- 
der his  command  is  a  series  of  gallant,  skilful,  and  success- 
ful enterprises  against  the  enemy,  without  a  single  reverse. 
The  Queen's  Rangers  have  killed  or  taken  twice  their  own 
numbers.  Col.  Simcoe  himself  has  been  thrice  wounded ; 
and  I  do  not  scruple  to  assert,  that  his  successes  have  been 
no  less  the  fruit  of  the  most  extensive  knowledge  of  his  pro- 
fession which  study  and  the  experience  within  his  reach 
could  give  him,  than  of  the  most  watchful  attention  and 
shining  courage. 
**  Charleston,  South  Carolina,  May  \mh,  1780." 

The  leisure  of  the  camp  and  of  winter  quarters  was  by 
Col.  Simcoe  filled  up  with  study.  Tacitus  and  Xenophon 
were  his  chief  companions,  and  military  history  claimed  a 
considerable  portion  of  his  attention.  Few  retired  scholars 
read  more  than  the  officer  on  the  alert  in  the  advance  of  the 
army ;  and  very  few  read  to  a  better  purpose.  He  saw 
with  clearness,  and  comprehended  with  accuracy,  every 
subject  in  all  its  varied  bearings,  and  in  its  most  extended 
relations.  His  daily  improvements  must  of  consequence 
have  been  considerable;  and  though  his  own  profession 
attracted  his  principal  attention  there  were  few  subjects  of 
science  not  familiar  to  him. 

A  life  of  tranquillity  restored  the  soldier's  mind  to  its  for- 
mer tone,  and  his  constitution  to  a  state  of  health,  wliich,  if 
not  perfect,  was  apparently  so.  Not  long  after  retiring  from 
active  service  he  married  a  Miss  Guillim,  a  near  relation  of 
the  lady  of  Admiral  Graves,  who  had  commanded  at  Bos- 
ton, and  who  was  a  distant  relation  of  nis  own.  He  was, 
in  1790,  elected  a  member  of  Parliament  to  represent  the 
borough  of  St.  Maws',  Cornwall,*  and  his  name  appears  in 
the  debates  on  the  bill  by  which  the  province  of  Quebec  was 


*  The  Senator ;  or  Clarendon's  Parliamentary  Chronicle,  Vol.  I. 


-'  .»-' 


MEMOIR  OP  THE  AUTHOR. 


■.um 


divided  into  Upper  and  Lower  Canada,  and  each  of  them 
placed  under  the  superintendence  of  a  lieutenant-governor, 
subject  to  the  authority  of  the  governor-general  of  British 
America.  Col.  Simcoe  was  appointed  lieutenant-governor 
of  Upper  Canada,  and  on  his  arrival  with  his  family  in 
the  province  had  the  country  accurately  surveyed,  and 
then  formed  his  plans  for  peopling  and  improving  it.  He 
first  thought  of  placing  the  centre  of  his  settlements  within 
the  land  enclosed  by  the  lakes  Ontario,  Erie,  and  Huron, 
and  the  Detroit  river ;  but  as  the  Niagara  was  to  be  given 
up  to  the  United  States,  he  altered  his  plan.  York,  on  the 
north-west  side  of  Lake  Ontario,  had  been  before  determin- 
ed on  for  the  capital,  but  Governor  Simcoe,  not  approving  of 
that  plan,  intended  to  fix  it  on  the  banks  of  the  river  Thames, 
between  Huron  and  Ontario.  This  was  also  dropped,  and 
York  (now  Toronto)  was  made  the  seat  of  government.  To 
increase  the  population  was  the  great  and  favourite  scheme 
of  the  new  governor,  and  as  he  had  the  allotment  of  lands 
vested  in  him,  he  was  enabled  to  promote  this  desirable  and 
useful  measure.  The  families  of  American  oflicers  and  sol- 
diers who  adhered  to  the  royal  cause  at  the  conclusion  of 
the  war,  obtained  grants  on  the  British  side  of  the  bounda- 
ry fine,  as  well  as  many  olRcers  and  soldiers  of  the  regular 
forces.  The  policy  of  Governor  Simcoe  was  tc  draw  as 
many  emigrants  from  the  American  states  as  he  could,  and 
by  means  of  his  mild  and  disinterested  government,  to  pro- 
mote a  love  for  the  national  character  of  Englishmen  in 
those  states.  To  half-pay  oflicers  he  held  out  a  share  of 
these  lands,  and  he  also  granted  discharges  to  soldiers  serv- 
ing in  th«'  regiments  then  in  Canada,  who  had  been  a  cer- 
tain number  of  years  in  the  country,  and  allotted  settle 
ments  to  them.  In  the  mean  time,  that  the  forces  might 
not  be  incomplete,  he  proposed  enlisting  Americans  whom 
he  expected  to  become  soon  attached  to  the  service.  These 
military  settlers  he  intended  to  occupy  the  lands  on  the 
frontiers  towards  the  states,  and  on  the  banks  of  the  lakes. 


•\i.'i 


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Xll 


MEMOIR  OF  THE  AUTHOR. 


! 


The  inland  parts  he  set  aside  for  those  who  had  emigrated, 
and,  in  case  of  their  not  being  zealously  attached  to  the  ex- 
isting governir  ent,  the  military  settlers,  from  their  situation, 
were  to  act  with  vigour  against  them,  or  in  the  event  of  a 
war  with  America,  which  would  be  contrary  to  the  interest 
of  both  nations,  defend  the  frontiers.     A  militia  formed  of 
such  settlers  might,  he  thought,  in  those  instances,  prove 
nearly  as  useful  as  a  regular  corps.    In  pursuance  of  these 
plans.  Col.  Simcoe,  on  ail  occasions,  gave  encouragement 
and  assistance  to  those  who  applied  for  lands,  or  who  were 
already  in  posscf.sion  of  them.     The  whole  of  his  conduct, 
during  the  time  he  enjoyed  the  government  of  Upper  Cana- 
da, was  honourable,  liberal,  and  admirably  calculated  to 
lay  the  foundation  of  private  and  public  prosperity.     After 
remaining  five  years  in  this  settlement,  Governor  8imcoe 
returned  to  England,  to  the  great  regret  of  all  the  inhabit- 
ants, who  appreciated  his  many  public  and  private  virtues. 
Governor  Simcoe  has  been  charged  with  unworthy  acts 
towards  his  American  neighbours  of  the  United  States.   In- 
stigating the  savages  to  hostilities  upon  our  frontiers,  that 
our  government  might  be  hanassed  with  Indian  wars;  abet- 
ting the  natives  in  their  clp.im  to  territory  west  and  north  of 
the  Ohio  River ;  disposing  of  his  military  forces,  and  ar- 
ranging other  matters  upon  the  borders  of  his  province  with 
a  direct  view  to  a  breach  of  peace  between  his  nation  and 
the  American  states,  are  alleged  to  have  been  practices  pur- 
sued in  a  manner  confirming  the  stories  of  his  hatred  to- 
wards the  "Yankees,"  and  his  desire  to  repay  them  for 
their  unpardoned  oflience  of  having  recently  achieved  their 
independence  as  a  people.    Naturally  some  prejudice  would 
be  indulged  in  by  Governor  Simcoe  towards  those   with 
whom  he  had  been  actively  at  war  in  a  civil  contest.     The 
cause  for  such  feeling,  or  proof  that  it  was  shown  in  impro- 
per words  and  acts,  need  not  now  be  sought.     The  Gover- 
nor's kindness  and  hospitality  to  some  of  our  oflicial  agents, 
while  in  his  province,  it  is  pleasing  to  find  recorded  in  the 


:4^ 


MEMOIR  OF  THE  AUTHOR. 


XUl 


private  journal  of  General  Lincoln,*  kept  by  him  when  des- 
patched as  one  of  the  Commissioners  of  the  United  States 
to  treat  with  the  Indians  in  1793.  The  following  passages 
are,  at  this  day,  somewhat  curious  and  interesting : — 

"  May  25. — Immediately  on  my  arrival  at  Niagara,  Gov- 
ernor Simcoe  sent  for  me ;  the  other  Commissioners  were 
with  him ;  he  showed  me  my  room.  We  remained  with 
him  a  number  of  days ;  but  knowing  that  we  occupied  a 
large  proportion  of  his  house,  and  that  Mrs.  Simcoe  was 
absent,  and  so  probably  on  our  account,  we  contemplated 
a  removal,  and  of  encamping  at  the  landing,  six  miles  from 
this  place.  But  when  the  Governor  was  informed  of  our 
intentions  he  barred  a  removal.  His  politeness  and  hospi- 
tality, of  which  he  has  a  large  share,  prevented  our  execut- 
ing the  designs  we  had  formed."! 

"  June  24. — The  King's  birth-day. — At  eleven  o'clock  the 
Governor  had  a  levee  at  his  house,  at  which  the  officers  of 
government,  the  members  of  the  legislature,  the  officers  of 
the  army,  and  a  number  of  strangers  attended.  At  one 
o'clock  there  was  firing  from  the  troops,  the  battery,  and 
from  the  ship  in  the  harbour.  In  the  evening  there  was 
quite  a  splendid  ball,  about  twenty  well  dressed  handsome 
ladies,  and  about  three  times  that  number  of  gentlemen 
present.  They  danced  from  seven  o'clock  to  eleven.  Sup- 
per was  then  announced,  A\hf're  we  found  every  thmg  good 
and  in  pretty  taste.  The  music  and  dancing  were  good,  and 
every  thing  was  conducted  with  propriety.  What  excited 
the  l)est  feelings  of  my  heart  was  the  ease  and  affection  with 
which  the  ladies  met  t'ach  other ;  although  there  were  a 
number  present  whose  mothers  sprang  from  the  aborigines 
of  the  country.  They  appi'ared  as  well  dressed  as  the  com- 
pany in  general,  and  intermixed  with  them  in  a  manner 


*  PublJRhcd  in  tlio  MiuwnclmsotLs  IlintorioQl  Collections.   ' 

t  The  Ofilciiil  .IciurnnI  of  tlir  Coniinisfionprs  nlso  rontnins  nrknowlrdjrmcnts  of 
tha  Uovornor'a  ultonlivc  iliiulnoHs  nnil  li<)N|iiiiility.  Scu  tlio  Jdiirnnl,  &c.,  printed  in 
tho  American  State  l*apcrt>,  Indion  Afluirs,  Vol,  I,  Document  Nu.  40. 

*         " 


.    »*■■. 


M 


tj»<v 


XIV 


MEMOIR  OF  THE  AUTHOR. 


n 


i 


which  evinced  at  once  the  dignity  of  their  own  minds  and 
the  good  sense  of  others.  These  ladies  possess  great  inge- 
nuity and  industry,  and  have  great  merit ;  for  the  educa- 
tion which  they  have  acquired  is  owing  principally  to  their 
own  industry,  as  their  father.  Sir  "William  Johnson,  was 
dead,  and  the  mother  retained  the  dress  and  manners  of  her 
tribe. 

"  Governor  Simcoe  is  exceedingly  attentive  to  these  pub- 
lic assemblies,  and  makes  it  his  study  to  reconcile  the  in- 
habitants, who  have  tasted  the  pleasures  of  society,  to  their 
present  situation,  in  an  infant  province.  He  intends  the 
next  winter  to  have  concerts  and  assemblies  very  frequent- 
ly. Hereby  he  at  once  evinces  a  regard  to  the  happiness  of 
the  people  and  his  knowledge  of  the  world ;  for  while 
the  people  art;  allured  to  become  settlers  in  this  country, 
from  the  richness  of  the  soil,  and  the  clemency  of  the  sea- 
sons, it  is  important  to  make  their  situation  as  flattering  as 
possible." 

The  Duke  de  la  Rochcfoucault  Liancourt  speaks  at  great 
length*  of  Governor  Simcoe  and  his  Canadian  policy.  He 
says^ — 

"  But  for  this  inveterate  hatred  against  the  United  States, 
which  he  too  loudly  professes,  and  Mhich  carries  him  too 
far,  General  Simcoe  appears  in  the  most  advantageous  light. 
He  is  just,  active,  enlightened,  brave,  frank,  and  possesses 
the  confidence  of  the  country,  of  the  troops,  and  of  all  those 
who  join  him  in  the  administration  of  public  aflairs.  To 
these  h<!  attends  with  the  closest  application  ;  he  preserves 
all  th(?  old  friends  of  his  King,  and  neglects  no  means  to  pro- 
cure him  new  ones.  He  unites,  in  my  judgment,  all  the 
qualities  which  his  station  requires,  to  maintain  the  impor- 
tant possession  of  Canada,  if  it  be  possible  that  England 
can  long  retain  it. 

"  In  his  private  life,  Governor  Simcoe  is  simple,  plain  and 


*  In  his  Travels  in  North  America  in  1795,  &c.  London,  1799.    8  Vols.  4to 


.%    . 


MEMOIR  OF  THE  AUTHOR. 


XV 


obliging.  He  lives  in  a  noble  and  hospitable  manner,  with- 
out pride ;  his  mind  is  enlightened ;  his  character  mild  and 
obliging ;  he  discourses  with  much  good  sense  on  all  sub- 
jects, but  his  favourite  topics  are  his  projects  and  war, 
which  seem  to  be  the  objects  of  his  leading  passions.  He 
is  acquainted  with  the  military  history  of  all  countries ;  no 
hillock  catches  his  eye  without  exciting  in  his  mind  the  idea 
of  a  fort,  which  might  be  constructed  on  the  spot ;  and  with 
the  construction  of  this  fort  he  associates  the  plan  of  ope- 
rations for  a  campaign,  especially  of  that  which  is  to  lead 
him  to  Philadelphia. 

"  Mrs.  Simcob  is  a  lady  of  thirty-six  years  of  age.  She  is 
timid,  and  speaks  little ;  but  she  is  a  woman  of  sense,  hand- 
some and  amiable,  and  fulfils  all  the  duties  of  mother  and 
wife  with  the  most  scrupulous  exactness.  The  performance 
of  the  latter  she  carries  so  far  as  to  be  of  great  assistance 
to  her  husband  by  her  talents  for  drawing,  the  practice  of 
which  confined  to  maps  and  plans,  enables  her  to  be  ex- 
tremely useful  to  the  Governor." 

An  anecdote,  related  by  the  Duke,  is  worth  quoting  as  a 
curious  illustration  of  Simcoe's  wish  to  gain  the  favour  of 
the  savages : — 

"  The  Governor  is  very  anxious  to  oblige  and  please  the 
Indians ;  his  only  son,  a  child  four  years  old,  is  dressed  as 
an  Indian,  and  called  Tioga,  which  name  has  been  given 
him  by  the  Mohawks.  This  harmless  farce  may  be  of  use 
in  the  intercourse  witli  the  Indians." 

In  October,  17J)1,  Colonel  Simcoe  was  promoted  to  the 
rank  of  major-general,  and  a  new  field  was  soon  opened  for 
the  exercise  of  his  abilities  in  the  Island  of  St.  Domingo, 
which  in  17U3  had  been  taken  possession  of  by  the  troops 
from  .Tainaica,  and  now  required  a  person  of  talents  to  take 
the  command  of  it,  as  civil  governor  and  commander  in 
chief,  in  the  room  of  Sir  Adam  Williamson.  As  there  was 
none  more  deserving  of  so  inqiortaiit  a  station,Major-General 
Simcoe  was  appointed,  witli  the  local  rank  of  lieutenant- 


i 


9^ 


I*  » 


ir 


'4 


XVI 


MEMOIR  OF  THE  AUTHOR. 


general,  on  the  3d  of  December,  1796.  The  nomination  of 
this  officer  was  very  acceptable  to  all  ranks  in  the  island, 
in  which  he  arrived  during  February  of  the  following  year. 
But  the  colony  was  soon  deprived  of  its  valued  governor, 
who  returned  to  England  in  the  month  of  July,  in  the  same 
year.  Short,  however,  as  was  his  stay,  he  did  more  than 
any  former  general,  in  conciliating  the  native  inhabitants 
to  the  British  government. 

On  the  3d  of  October,  1798,  he  was  made  a  lieutenant- 
general  in  the  British  army.  In  1801,  when  the  French  in- 
vasion of  England  was  threatened,  the  important  command 
of  the  town  of  Plymouth,  the  county  of  Devon,  &c.,  was 
entrusted  to  him,  and  from  his  uncommon  exertions  in  dis- 
cipling  the  volunteers,  and  in  other  preparations,  it  was 
thought  that  the  enemy,  in  any  attempt  to  land  in  that  part 
of  the  country,  would  have  received  a  severe  check. 

The  suspected  design  of  France  to  invade  Portugal,  in 
1806,  directed  the  anxious  attention  of  the  British  govern- 
ment towards  the  critical  situation  of  that  country,  and  the 
tirst  care  of  the  ministry  was  promptly  to  provide  the  only 
remaining  ally  of  England  upon  the  continent  with  the  as- 
sistance of  forces  proportioned  to  the  magnitude  of  the 
threatened  and  imminent  danger.  Lieutenant-General  Sim- 
coe  and  the  Earl  of  Rosslyn,  with  their  staff,  were  imme- 
diately sent  to  join  Lord  St.  Vincent,  who  was  with  a  fleet 
in  the  Tagus,  and  to  open,  in  conjunction  with  him,  such  a 
communication  with  the  Court  of  Lisbon,  as  might  at  once 
lead  to  a  full  understanding  of  the  extent  of  the  threatened 
danger,  the  means  of  resisting  it,  and  the  best  mode  of  co- 
operating for  that  purpose. 

General  Simcoe  was  taken  ill  on  the  voyage,  and  his 
malady  increased  so  rapidly  after  his  arrival,  that  he  was 
under  the  necessity  of  s})eedily  returning  to  England,  where 
he  died  a  few  hours  after  he  landed.* 


*  Annual  Register. 


MEMOIR  OP  THE  AUTHOR. 


XVll 


The  appointment  to  the  chief  command  of  the  British 
forces  in  India  had  been  conferred  upon  General  Simcoe  as 
successor  to  Lord  Lake,  and  his  lady  was  in  London  mak- 
ing the  necessary  preparations  for  the  voyage  when  she  re- 
ceived the  melancholy  intelligence  of  his  death,  shortly 
after  his  arrival  at  Torbay  in  Devonshire. 

Thus  died  Lieutcnant-General  John  Graves  Simcoe  at 
the  age  of  fifty-four  years,  a  soldier,  a  gentleman,  and  a 
scholar.  The  glory,  the  titles,  and  the  preferments  seeming 
to  await  his  career  in  India  were  by  an  overruling  Provi- 
dence not  permitted  to  be  attained  by  him.  Nature  made 
him  one  of  her  noblemen,  and  by  inheritance  likewise  the 
title  was  his.  Fortune  has  given  him  a  space  moderate  in- 
deed in  history.  But  for  his  untimely  end,  however,  no 
complaint  probably  would  have  been  made  that  he  did  not 
reach  the  goal  of  his  highest  ambition  as  a  soldier,  to  wear 
his  honours  in  their  newest  gloss  at  least,  if,  in  death,  he 
had  cast  them  aside  too  soon. 

His  country  was  deprived  of  an  accomplished  and  skilful 
officer,  and  his  widow  and  children  of  an  excellent  husband 
and  father.  As  a  military  man  General  Simcoe  was  often 
consulted  by  those  high  in  oflice,  and  was  a  member  of  ev- 
ery board  of  general  officers  ordered  by  the  King  after  his 
promotion  made  him  eligible.  In  fact  few  gentlemen  in 
the  service  were  more  capable  of  deciding  on  professional 
afliairs,  whether  respecting  discipline,  or  interior  economy. 
He  was  also  highly  esteemed  by  a  numerous  circle  of  friends 
of  the  first  respectability,  and  his  opinion  and  advice  were 
taken  in  matters  of  the  most  interesting  nature,  for  which 
he  was  eminently  qualified,  by  his  good  sense  and  knowl- 
edge of  the  world. 


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A     JOURNAL 


OPERATIONS 


or 


THE  QUEEN'S  RANGERS, 


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THE    END   OF    THE    YEAR    1777, 


TO  TBC 


CONCLUSION  OF  THE  LATE    AMERICAN    WAR. 


BY  LIEUTENANT-COLONEL  SIMCOE, 

COMMANDER  OP  THAT  CORPS. 


EXETER: 
PRINTED  FOR  THE  AUTHOR. 


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INTRODUCTION. 


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The  writer  of  these  Memoirs  has  been  induced  to  print 
them  by  a  variety  of  reasons,  among  which  the  following 
are  included.  Actions  erroneously  attributed  to  others  may 
be  restored  to  those  who  really  performed  them :  His  own 
memory  may  be  renewed,  and  preserved  in  their  bosoms, 
whose  patronage  and  confidence  he  acknowledges  with  pride 
and  gratitude ;  while,  at  the  same  time,  he  bears  testimony 
to  the  merits  of  those  excellent  officers  and  soldiers  whom 
it  was  his  good  fortune  to  conunand,  during  the  late  war  in 
America :  a  war  which  he  always  considered  as  forced  upon 
Great  Britain,  and  in  which  he  served  from  principle. 
Events,  however  unfortunate,  can  neither  alter  its  nature 
nor  cancel  his  opinion.  Had  he  supposed  it  to  have  been 
unjust,  he  would  have  resigned  his  commission ;  for  no  true 
soldier  and  servant  of  his  country  will  ever  admit  that  a 
British  officer  can  divest  himself  of  the  duties  of  a  citizen, 
or  in  a  civil  contest  is  bound  to  support  the  cause  his  con- 
science rejects. 

The  command  of  a  light  corps,  or,  as  it  is  termed,  the  ser- 
vice of  a  partisan,  is  generally  esteemed  the  best  mode  of 
instruction  for  those  who  aim  at  higher  stations ;  as  it  gives 
an  opportunity  of  exemplifying  professional  acquisitions, 
fixes  the  habit  of  self-dependance  for  resources,  and  obliges 
to  that  prompt  decision  which  in  the  common  rotation  of 
duty  subordinate  officers  can  seldom  exhibit,  yet  without 
which  none  can  be  qualified  for  any  trust  of  importance. 
To  attain  this  employment  was  therefore  an  early  object 
with  the  author ;  nor  could  he  be  diverted  from  his  purpose 
by  the  shameful  character  of  dishonesty,  rapine,  and  false- 
hood, supposed  to  attend  it ;  at  least  by  those  who  formed 
their  judgment  on  the  conversation  of  such  officers  as  had 
been  witnesses  to  the  campaigns  in  Germany.  He  had  fairer 
examples  to  profit  from;  as  the  page  of  military  history 
scarcely  details  more  spirited  exertions  in  this  kind  of  ser- 


If:  ..'i 


■:,x'^^ 


m 


•11 


14 


INTRODUCTION. 


I 


a|!i 


t' 


vice,  than  what  distinguishingly  marked  the  last  civil  com- 
motions in  England;  and  Massey's  well  known  saying, 
"  that  he  could  not  look  upon  the  goods  of  any  Englishman 
"  as  those  of  an  enemy,"  delineated  the  i  ntrgrity  ol  llie  citi- 
zen, and  the  honourable  policy  of  the  soldier. 

His  intimate  connection  with  that  most  upright  and  zeal- 
ous officer  the  late  Admiral  Graves,  who  commanded  at  Bos- 
ton in  the  year  1775,  and  some  services  which  he  was  pleas- 
ed to  entrust  him  with,  brought  him  acquainted  with  many 
of  the  American  loyalists :  from  them  he  soon  learned  the 
practicability  of  raising  troops  in  the  country  whenever  it 
should  be  opened  to  the  King's  forces ;  and  the  propriety  of 
such  a  measure  appeared  to  be  self-evident.     He  therefore 
importuned  Admiral  Graves  to  ask  of  General  Gage  that  he 
might  enlist  such  negroes  as  were  in  Boston,  and  with  them 
put  himself  under  the  direction  of  Sir  James  Wallace,  who 
was  then  actively  engaged  at  Rhode  Island,  and  to  whom 
that  colony  had  opposed  negroes ;  adding  to  the  Admiral, 
who  seemed  surprised  at  his  request,  "  that  he  entertained 
"no  doubt  he  should  soon  exchange  them  for  whites:"  Gen. 
Gage,  on  the  Admiral's  application,  informed  him  that  the 
negroes  were  not  sufficiently  numerous  to  be  serviceable, 
and  that  he  had  other  employment  for  those  who  were  in 
Boston. 

When  the  army  sailed  from  Halifax  for  Staten  Island,  the 
author  was  Captain  of  the  grenadier  company  of  the  40th 
regiment,  and  during  the  time  of  winter  quarters  at  Bruns- 
wick, in  1776,  went  purposely  to  New- York  to  solicit  the 
command  of  the  Queen's  Rangers,  then  vacant.  The  boat 
he  was  in,  being  driven  from  the  place  of  its  destination,  he 
was  exceedingly  chagrined  to  find  that  he  had  arrived  some 
hours  too  late :  but  he  desired  that  Col.  Cuyler,  Sir  William 
Howe's  Aid-de-Camp,  would  mention  his  coming  thither  to 
him,  as  well  as  his  design.  On  the  army's  embarking  for  the 
Chesapeake,  he  wrote  to  General  Grant,  under  whom  he  had 
served,  requesting  his  good  offices  in  procuring  him  a  com- 
mand like  (hat  of  the  Queen's  Rangers,  if  any  other  corps 
intended  for  similar  employment  should  be  raised  in  the 
countrj',  to  which  the  expedition  was  destined. 

These  circumstances  are  related,  not  only  as  introductory 
to  the  subsequent  journal,  but  to  show  how  very  early  his 
thoughts  were  bent  on  attaining  the  command  of  a  corps 
raised  in  America,  for  the  active  duty  of  light  troops. 


n 


INTRODUCTION. 


15 


a  corn- 
er corps 
in  the 

|ductory 
irly  his 
la  corps 
Is. 


The  jounial,  as  it  is,  in  its  own  nature,  not  generally  in- 
teresting, and  guarded  from  any  observations  foreign  to  the 
subject,  he  by  no  means  wishes  to  obtrude  upon  the  public  ; 
but  hopes  it  will  be  favourably  received  by  those  to  whom 
he  shall  offer  it  as  a  testimony  of  respect,  and  with  whom  it 
may  claim  some  indulgence,  as  the  particular  nature  and 
event  of  the  American  war  gives  a  degree  of  consequence 
to  operations  however  minute  :  for  it  terminated  not  in  the 
loss  of  some  petty  fortress,  or  trivial  island,butinthedivulsion 
of  a  continent  from  a  continent ;  of  a  world  from  a  world. 

The  ofliccr  who  conducts  a  light  corps  properly,  will  in  his 
small  sphere  make  use  of  the  same  principles  Avliich  Gener- 
als apply  to  the  regulation  of  armies.  He  will  naturally 
imitate  the  commanders  under  whom  he  serves ;  while  the 
individuals  of  his  corps  (for  in  such  a  service  only  individu- 
als become  of  importance)  Avill  manifest  a  spirit  which  pro- 
baby  the  whole  army  may  jjossess  without  having  similar 
opportunities  of  calling  it  into  action. 

History  cannot  produce  examples  of  more  ardent  zeal  in 
the  service  of  their  countrj-,  than  that  which  characterised 
the  British  officers  and  soldiers  in  America.     They  despised 
all  those  conveniences  without  which  it  would  b(^  thought 
impracticable  for  European  armies  to  move.     Th«>y  did  not 
tamely  wait  for  the  moment  of  exertion  in  the  precise  line  of 
their  duty,  but  boldly  sought  out  danger  and  death ;  and  no 
sooner  was  one  officer  lost  on  any  hazardous  service  than 
many  competitors  appeared  to  succeed  in  the  post  of  honour. 
It  was  this  spirit  which,  among  uncommon  difficulties,  so  fre- 
quently triumphed  over  numbers  of  brave,  skilful,  and  enter- 
prising opponents.     The  British  soldier  who  thought  himself 
superior,  actually  became  so ;  and  the  ascendancy  which  he 
claimed  was  in  many  instances  importantly  admitted  by  his 
antagonists.     Nor  was  this  spirit,  the  result  of  principle, 
confined  to  the  operations  of  the  field:  it  was  shown  in  the 
hour  of  civil  persecution  and  rigorous  imprisonment ;  in  sit- 
Ucitions  where  coolness  supplies  the  place  of  activity,  and 
thought  ])recedes  execution.     General  Gage  in  a  celebrated 
letter  to  Washington  at  the  commencement  of  the  war,  had 
said,  "that  such  trials  would  b(^  met  with  the  fortitude  of 
"  martyrs ;"  and  the  behaviour  of  the  loyalists  amply  con- 
firmed his  prophesy. 

The  British  Generals  were  commonly  obliged  to  hazard 
their  armies  without  any  possibility  of  retreat  in  case  of 
misadventure :  they  trusted  to  the  spirit  and  discipline  of 


•'?i>M 


W:: 


■U':: 


■■  :>'v: 


1 

■ri.'f 


!»•   .Mai 


16 


INTRODUCTION. 


)  i 


I 


4: 


their  troops  ;  and  the  decision,  with  which  they  risked  them- 
selves, forms  the  most  striking  and  singular  feature  of  the 
American  war.  Nor  was  this  only  done  when  the  armies 
were  in  their  full  force;  by  Sir  William  Howe  in  his  cam- 
paigns, particularly  in  the  glorious  battle  of  the  Brandy- 
wine  ;  by  Sir  Henry  Clinton  in  his  celebrated  march  through 
the  Jersies ;  by  Earl  Cornwallis  in  a  latter  period  tat  Guild- 
ford, when  the  war  was  transferred  to  the  Carolinas  ;  and 
eminently  by  Lord  Rawdon,  who  was 

"  Left  to  bide  the  disadvantage  of  a  field 

"  Where  nothing  but  the  sound  of  Britain's  name 

"  Did  seem  defensible  ;" 

but  the  same  spirit  was  infused  into  the  smallest  operations ; 
and  the  light  troops  in  their  enterprises,  confident  in  the  su- 
periority of  their  composition,  scarcely  admitted  the  idea  of 
retreat,  or  calculated  against  the  contingency  of  a  repulse. 
An  account  of  the  Queen's  Hangers,  and  their  operations, 
will  elucidate  the  preceding  positions  ;  show  in  such  a  point 
of  view  their  similitude  to  the  British  army,  and  contain,  as 
it  wer(%  an  epitome  of  its  history. 

This  Journjil  alleges  no  fact  but  what  the  author  believes 
to  be  true  ;  the  frequent  introduction  of  his  own  name  may 
appear  redundant,  but  is  absolutely  necessary  to  the  perspi- 
cuity of  thi!  work.  He  never  valued  himself  so  highly  on 
the  actions  which  it  was  his  good  fortune  to  perform  to  the 
satisfaction  of  his  superiors,  as  voluntarily  to  prescribe  them 
for  the  boundaries  of  his  professional  nmbition.  Yet,  as  a 
British  ollicer,  should  he  live  to  double  the  nund)er  of  years 
which  he  has  already  devoted  (o  the  service  of  his  eountrj% 
it  is  scarcely  possible  that  hc^  shall  ever  be  appointed  to  so 
Important  a  trust  asth.-it  which  he  solicited,  when  he  offered 
to  fortify  and  maintain  lJillings|)ort :  And  as  an  European 
soldier,  and  an  Euro|)ean  sul)je(!t,  what  field  for  lionourable 
enter|)risi'  can  ever  be  so  with',  as  that  wliieli  he  would  have 
expatiated  in,  had  he  according  to  his  own  plan,  joined  the 
Jndians;  directed  them  to  collateral  exertion  ;  and  associ- 
ating the  loyalists  of  the  back  countries  zeah>us  in  the 
British  eause,  united  them  with  the  enemies  of  Congress ; 
set  before  them  the  Queen's  Ujingers  as  their  most  nec«'ssa- 
ry  guides  and  examples  ;  led  the  whole  combination  to  in- 
cessant and  adventurous  action  during  tlie  war;  and  if  vic- 
torious, had  remained  at  their  lu-ad  in  that  hour  when 
Ameri(;a  was  declared  independent  by  a  critical  and  unex- 
pected peace ! 


.1 


A  JOURNAL. 


m 


On  the  15th  of  October,  1777,  Sir  WiUiam  Howe 
was  pleased  to  appoint  Captain  Simcoe  of  the  Gre- 
nadiers, with  the  Provincial  rank  of  Major,  to  the 
command  of  the  Queen's  Rangers ;  the  next  day  he 
joined  the  regiment,  which  was  encamped  with  the 
army  in  the  vicinity  of  Germantown. 

On  the  19th  the  army  marched  to  Philadelphia,  the 
Queen's  Rangers  formed  the  rear  guard  of  the  left 
column,  and,  in  the  encampment,  their  post  was  on 
the  right  of  the  line,  in  front  of  the  village  of  Ken- 
sington ;  the  army  extending  from  the  Delaware  to 
the  Schuylkill. 

On  the  20th  the  regiment  was  augmented  with 
nearly  an  hundred  men,  who  had  been  enlisted  by 
Captain  Smyth  during  the  various  marches  from  the 
landing  of  the  army  in  the  Chesapeake  to  this  period. 

This  was  a  very  seasonable  recruit  to  the  regi- 
ment ;  it  had  suffered  materially  in  the  action  at 
Brand)rwine,  and  was  too  much  reduced  in  numbers 
to  be  of  any  efficient  service  ;  but  if  the  loss  of  a 
great  number  of  gallant  officers  and  soldiers  had 
been  severely  felt,  the  impression  which  that  action 
had  left  upon  their  minds  was  of  the  highest  advan- 
1 


Ui 


§ 


18 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  OPERATIONS 


tage  to  the  regiment ;  officers  and  soldiers  became 
known  to  each  other ;  they  had  been  engaged  in  a 
more  serious  manner,  and  with  greater  disadvantages 
than  they  were  hkely  again  to  meet  with  in  the  com- 
mon chance  of  war ;  and  having  extricated  them- 
selves most  gallantly  from  such  a  situation,  they  felt 
themselves  invincible.  This  spirit  vibrated  among 
them  at  the  time  Major  Simcoe  joined  them  ;  and  it 
was  obvious,  that  he  had  nothing  to  do  but  to  cherish 
and  preserve  it.  Sir  WilHam  Howe,  in  consequence 
of  their  behaviour  at  Brandywine,  had  promised  that 
all  promotions  should  go  in  the  regiment,  and  accord- 
ingly they  now  took  place. 

The  Queen's  Rangers  had  been  originally  raised  in 
Connecticut,  and  the  vicinity  of  New  York,  by 
Colonel  Rogers,  for  the  duties  which  their  name  im- 
plies, and  which  were  detailed  in  his  commission  ;  at 
one  period  they  mustered  above  four  hundred  men, 
all  Americans,  and  all  loyalists.  Hardships  and  neg- 
lect had  much  reduced  their  numbers,  when  the  com- 
mand of  them  was  given  to  Colonel  French,  and  af- 
terwards to  Major  Weymess,  to  whom  Major  Simcoe 
succeeded  ;  their  officers  also  had  undergone  a  ma- 
terial change  ;  many  gentlemen  of  the  Southern  col- 
onies who  had  joined  Lord  Dunmorc,  and  distinguish- 
ed themselves  under  his  orders,  were  appointed  to 
supercede  those  who  were  not  thought  competent  to 
the  commissions  they  had  hitherto  borne;  to  these 
were  added  some  volunteers  from  the  army,  the  whole 
consisting  of  young  men,  active,  full  of  love  of  the 
service,  emulous  to  distinguish  themselves  in  it,  and 


i 
1 


OF  THE  queen's  RANGERS. 


19 


looking  forward  to  obtain,  through  their  actions,  the 
honor  of  being  enrolled  with  the  British  army. 

The  Provincial  corps,  now  forming,  were  raised 
on  the  supposed  influence  which  their  officers  had 
among  their  loyal  countrymen,  and  were  understood 
to  be  native  American  loyalists ;  added  to  an  equal 
chance  among  these,  a  greater  resource  was  opened 
to  the  Queen's  Rangers,  in  the  exclusive  privilege  of 
enlisting  old  countrymen  (as  Europeans  were  termed 
in  America)  and  deserters  from  the  rebel  army  ;  so 
that  could  the  officers  to  whom  the  Commander  in 
Chief  delegated    the  inspection  of   the   Provincial 
corps  have  executed  their  orders,  the  Queen's  Rang- 
ers, however  dangerously  and  incessantly  employed, 
would  never  have  been  in  want  of  recruits  ;  at  the 
same  time,  the  original  loyalists,  and  those  of  this 
description,  who   were  from  time  to  time  enlisted, 
forming  the  gross  of  the  corps,  were  the  source  from 
whence  it  derived  its  value  and  its  discipline ;  they 
were  men  who  had  already  been  exiled  for  their  at- 
tachment to  the*  British  government,  and  who  now 
acted  upon  the  firmest  principles  in  its  defence  ;  on 
the  contrary,  the  people  they  had  to  oppose,  however 
characterised  by  the  enemies  of  Great  Britain,  had 
never  been  considered  by  them  as  engaged  in  an 
honourable  cause,  or  fighting  for  the  freedom  of  their 
country ;  they  estimated  them  not  by  their  words, 
but  by  an  intimate  observance  of  their  actions,  and 
to  civil  desecration,  experience  had  taught  them  to 
add  military  contempt.    Sucli  was  the  composition 


''if  ^?'fi 


:■;•'■  X.  J 


20 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  OPERATIONS 


of  the  Queen's  Rangers,  and  the  spirit  that  animat- 
ed it. 

The  junction  of  Captain  Smyth's  company  aug- 
mented the  regiment  into  eleven  companies,  the  num- 
ber of  which  was  equalised,  and  the  eleventh  was 
formed  of  Highlanders.  Several  of  those  brave  men, 
who  had  been  defeated  in  an  attempt  to  join  the  army 
in  North  Carolina,  were  now  in  the  corps  ;  to  those 
others  were  added,  and  the  command  was  given  to 
Captain  M'Kay ;  they  were  furnished  with  the  High- 
land dress,  and  their  national  piper,  and  were  posted 
on  the  left  flank  of  the  regiment,  which  consisted  of 
eight  battalions,  a  grenadier,  and  light  infantry  com- 
pany. Upon  the  march  from  German  Town  to  Ken- 
sington, Sir  William  Erskine,  in  directing  what  duties 
Major  Simcoe  should  do,  had  told  him  to  call  upon 
him  for  dragoons  whenever  he  wanted  them  ;  upon 
this.  Major  Simcoe  took  the  liberty  of  observing, 
"  that  the  clothing  and  habiliments  of  the  dragoons 
"  were  so  different  from  those  of  the  Queen's  Rang- 
"  ers  (the  one  being  in  red,  and  with  white  belts, 
"  easily  seen  at  a  distance,  and  the  other  in  green, 
"  and  accoutred  for  concealment)  that  he  thought  it 
"  would  be  more  useful  to  mount  a  dozen  soldiers  of 
"  the  regiment."  Sir  William  Erskine  highly  approv- 
ed of  the  idea,  and  sent  a  suitable  number  of  hordes, 
saddles,  and  swords ;  such  men  were  selected  for  the 
service  as  the  officers  recommended  for  spirit  and 
presence  of  mind ;  they  were  put  under  the  direction 
of  Kelly,  a  scrjcant  of  distinguished  gallantry.  A 
light  corps,  augmented  as  that  of  the  Queen's  Rang- 


''tv 


OF  THE  queen's  RANGERS. 


21 


ers  was,  and  employed  on  the  duties  of  an  outpost, 
had  no  opportunity  of  being  instructed  in  the  general 
discipUne  of  the  army,  nor  indeed  was  it  very  neces- 
sary :  the  most  important  duties,  those  of  vigilance, 
activity,  and  patience  of  fatigue,  were  best  learnt  in 
the  field ;  a  few  motions  of  the  manual  exercise  were 
thought  sufficient ;  they  were  carefully  instructed  in 
those  of  firing,  but  above  all,  attention  was  paid  to 
inculcate  the  use  of  the  bayonet,  and  a  total  reliance 
on  that  weapon.  The  divisions  being  fully  officered, 
and  weak  in  numbers,  was  of  the  greatest  utility,  and 
in  many  trying  situations  was  the  preservation  of  the 
corps ;  two  files  in  the  centre,  and  two  on  each  flank, 
were  directed  to  be  composed  of  trained  soldiers, 
without  regard  to  their  size  or  appearance.  It  was 
explained,  that  no  rotation,  except  in  ordinary  duties, 
should  take  place  among  light  troops,  but  that  those 
officers  would  be  selected  for  any  service  who  ap- 
peared to  be  most  capable  of  executing  it :  it  was 
also  enforced  by  example,  that  no  service  was  to  be 
measured  by  the  numbers  employed  on  it,  but  by  its 
own  importance,  and  that  five  men,  in  critical  situa- 
tions  or  employment,  was  a  more  honourable  com- 
mand than  an  hundred  on  common  duties.  Serjeant's 
guards  were  in  a  manner  abolished,  a  circumstance 
to  which  in  a  great  measure  may  be  Jittributed,  that 
no  sentinel  or  guard  of  the  Queen's  Rangers  was 
ever  surprised ;  the  vigilance  of  a  gentleman  and  an 
officer  being  transccndantly  superior  to  that  of  any 
non-couunissioncd  otticcr  whatsoever.  An  attention 
to  the  interior  oiconomy  of  a  company,  indispensable 
1* 


'■'M 


.1 "  ■; .. 


i 


'tip!, 


S3 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  OPERATIONS 


as  it  is,  by  no  means  forms  the  most  pleasing  military 
duty  upon  service,  where  the  officer  looks  up  to 
something  more  essentially  useful,  and  values  himself 
upon  its  execution.  A  young  corps  raised  in  the 
midst  of  active  service,  and  without  the  habits  of 
discipUne,  which  are  learnt  in  time  of  peace,  requir- 
ed the  strictest  attention  in  this  point.  It  was  ob- 
served, that  regularity  in  messing,  and  cleanliness  in 
every  respect,  conduced  to  the  health  of  the  soldier ; 
and  from  the  numbers  that  each  regiment  brought  into 
the  field,  superior  officers  would  in  general  form  the 
best  estimate  of  the  attention  of  a  corps  to  its  interi- 
or ceconomy ;  and  to  enforce  the  performance  of 
these  duties  in  the  strongest  manner,  it  was  declared 
in  public  orders,  "  that  to  such  only  when  in  the  field, 
"  the  commanding  officer  would  entrust  the  duties  of 
"  it,  who  should  execute  with  spirit  what  belongs  to 
"  the  interior  oeconomy  of  the  regiment  when  in 
"  quarters."  To  avoid  written  orders  as  much  as  pos- 
sible, after  the  morning  parade,  the  officers  attended, 
as  the  German  custom  is,  and  received  verbally  what- 
ever could  be  so  delivered  to  them,  and  they  were 
declared  answerable  that  every  written  order  was  read 
to  the  men  on  their  separate  parades. 

Near  the  end  of  October  the  Queen's  Rangers 
were  directed  to  patrolc  beyond  Frankfort,  four  miles 
from  Philadelphia  ;  it  was  the  day  that  Colonel  Do- 
nop  made  his  unfortunate  attempt  on  Red  Bank; 
they  advanced  as  far  as  the  Red  Lion,  which  several 
of  the  rebel  officers  had  left  a  few  minutes  before. 


1 
■^ 


■3 


OF  THE  queen's  RANGERS. 


23 


The  country  in  front  of  Philadelphia,  where  the 
Queen's  Rangers  were  employed,  was  in  general 
cleared  ground,  but  intersected  with  many  woods ; 
the  fields  were  fenced  out  with  very  high  railing  :  the 
main  road  led  straight  from  Philadelphia  to  Bristol 
Ferry  on  the  Delaware  ;  about  five  miles  from  Phila- 
delphia, on  this  road,  was  Frankfort  Creek  which 
fell  into  the  Delaware  nearly  at  that  distance,  and  the 
angle  that  it  formed  was  called  Point-no-Point,  within 
which  were  many  good  houses  and  plantations. 

Beyond  the  bridge  over  the  creek,  on  a  height, 
was  the  village  of  Frankfort ;  below  the  bridge  it  was 
not  fordable,  but  it  was  easily  passed  in  many  places 
above  it.  The  rebels  frequently  patrolled  as  far  as 
Frankfort,  and  to  a  place  called  the  Rocks,  about  a 
mile  beyond  it.  Four  miles  farther  was  Pennypack 
Creek,  over  which  was  a  bridge ;  three  miles  beyond 
this  was  the  Red  Lion  tavern,  and  two  miles  further 
was  Bristol,  a  small  town  opposite  Burlington :  this 
road  was  the  nearest  to  the  river  Delaware  ;  nearly 
parallel  to  it  was  the  road  to  York,  which  was  attend- 
ed to  by  the  light  infantry,  of  the  guards,  and  the 
army ;  there  were  many  cross  roads  that  intersected 
the  country  between  these  main  roads,  a  most  perfect 
knowledge  of  which  was  endeavored  to  be  acquired 
by  maps,  drawn  from  the  information  of  the  country 
people,  and  by  occular  observation. 

The  village  of  Kensington  was  several  times  at- 
tacked by  the  rebel  patrolling  parties ;  they  could 
come  by  means  of  the  woods  very  near  to  it  undis- 
covered; there  was  a  road  over  a  small  creek  to 


pi 


■m 


V' 


'  'I 


It' 


™4^ 


iin" 


ii!; 


t^ 


lii;i  i; 


14' 


34 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  OPERATIONS 


Point-no-Point ;  to  defend  this  a  house  was  made 
musket  proof,  and  the  bridge  taken  up ;  cavalry  only 
approached  to  this  post,  for  it  lying,  as  has  been  men- 
tioned, in  an  angle  between  the  Delaware  and  the 
Frankfort  road,  infantry  were  liable  to  be  cut  off; 
on  the  left  there  was  a  knoll  that  overlooked  the 
country ;  this  was  the  post  of  the  piquet  in  the  day- 
time, but  corn  fields  high  enough  to  conceal  the  ap- 
proach of  an  enemy  reached  to  its  basis  ;  sentinels 
from  hence  inclined  to  the  left  and  joined  those  of 
Colonel  Twistleton's  (now  Lord  Say  and  Sele)  light 
infantry  of  the  guards,  so  that  this  hill  projected  for- 
ward, and  on  that  account  was  ordered  by  Sir  Wil- 
liam Erskine  not  to  be  defended  if  attacked  in  force, 
and  it  was  withdrawn  at  night.  It  was  usual,  if  the 
enemy  approached,  to  quit  this  post  till  such  time  as 
the  corps  could  get  under  arms,  and  the  light  infantry 
of  the  guards  were  informed  of  it ;  when,  marching 
up  the  road,  the  enemy  fearing  to  be  shut  up  within 
the  creek  that  has  been  mentioned,  abandoned  their 
ground  and  generally  suffered  in  their  retreat  to  the 
woods.  At  night  the  corps  was  drawn  back  to  the 
houses  nearer  Philadelphia,  and  guards  were  placed 
behind  breastworks,  made  by  heaping  up  the  fences 
in  such  points  as  commanded  the  avenues  to  the  vil- 
lage ;  (which  was  laid  out  and  enclosed  in  right  an- 
gles ;)  these  were  themselves  overlooked  by  others 
that  constituted  the  alarm  post  of  the  different  com- 
panies. Fires  also  were  made  in  particular  places 
before  the  piquet,  to  discover  whatsoever  should  ap- 
proach.   Before  day  the  whole  corps  was  under  arms, 


'.V.W 

m 


made 
y  only 
nmen- 
nd  the 
ut  off; 
ed  the 
16  day- 
the  ap- 
sntinels 
hose  of 
e)  Ught 
ted  for- 
Jir  Wil- 
n  force, 
1,  if  the 
time  as 
infantry 
larching 
p  within 
led  their 
it  to  the 
k  to  the 
e  placed 
le  fences 
>  the  vil- 
right  an- 
)y  others 
ent  com- 
ir  places 
lould  ap- 
der  arms, 


OF  THE  queen's  RANGERS. 


25 


and  remained  so  till  the  piquets  returned  to  their 
day  post,  which  they  resumed,  taking  every  precau- 
tion against  ambuscades ;  the  light  infantry  of  the 
guards  advanced  their  piquets  at  the  same  time,  and 
Colonel  Twistleton  was  an  admirable  pattern  for  at- 
tention and  spirit,  to  all  who  served  with  him.  He 
was  constantly  with  the  piquets,  which  generally 
found  out  the  enemy's  patroles,  and  interchanged 
shot  with  them  :  his  horse  was  one  morning  wounded 
by  a  rifle  shot.  The  mounted  men  of  the  Queen's 
Ranger's  were  found  very  serviceable  on  these  occa- 
sions. The  woods  in  the  front  were  every  day  di- 
minishing, being  cut  down  for  the  uses  of  the  arn?y, 
and  the  enemy  kept  at  a  greater  distance.  An  attempt 
was  made  to  surprize  the  rebel  post  at  Frankfort ;  by 
orders  fro.  i  head  quarters  the  Queen's  Rangers  were 
to  march  near  to  the  bridge  at  Frankfort,  and  to  lay 
there  in  ambuscade  till  such  time  as  Major  Gwyn, 
who  made  a  circuit  with  a  detachment  of  cavalry, 
should  fall  into  the  rear  of  the  town.  Accordingly 
the  corps  marched  through  bye  paths,  and  attained 
its  position :  some  dragoons  at  the  appointed  time 
passed  the  bridge  from  Frankfort.  The  light  was  not 
sufficient  to  enable  the  Rangers  to  discover  whether 
they  were  friends  or  enemies,  till  upon  their  turning 
back  and  hearing  a  shot,  the  corps  rushed  into  the 
town ;  unfortunately,  either  by  accident  or  from  in- 
formation, the  rebel  post  had  been  withdrawn.  Some 
days  after  the  Queen's  Rangers,  with  thirty  dragoons 
of  the  IGth,  under  Lieutenant  Pidcock,  marched  at 
midnight  to  attempt  the  same  post ;  after  making  a 


26 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  OPERATIONS 


f*!. 


circuit,  and  nearly  attaining  the  rear  of  the  Jolly  Post, 
the  public  house  where  the  guard  was  kept,  the  party 
fell  in  with  a  patrole ;  this  was  cut  off  from  the  house  ; 
it  luckily  did  not  fire,  but  ran  towards  the  wood  :  the 
detachment  was  carefully  prevented  from  firing.     No 
time  was  lost  in  the  pursuit  of  the  enemy,  but  the 
infantry  crossed  the  fields  immediately  in  the  rear  of 
the  house,  and  a  disposition  was  formed  for  attacking 
it,  in  case,  as  it  well  might  have  been,  it  should  be 
defended :  the  cavalry  made  a  circuit  to  the  road  in 
the  rear,  and  the  post  was  completely  surprized.     An 
officer  and  twenty  men  were  taken  prisoners,  two  or 
three  of  whom  were  slightly  wounded  in  an  attempt 
to  escape ;  they  were  militia,  and  what  is  very  re- 
markable, they  had  the  word  ''  Richmond"  chalked 
in  their  hats ;  the  officer  said  "  Richmond  was  the 
"  countersign,  and  that  he  chalked  it  there  that  his 
men  might  not  forget  it."    Serjeant  Kelly  dismount- 
ed an  officer,  and  in  pursuit  of  another  man,  left  him ; 
the  officer  gave  his  watch  to  another  dragoon  ;  it  was 
however  adjudged  to  the  serjeant,  as  he  was  the  per- 
son who  dismounted  him,  spared  his  life,  and  pursued 
his  duty.     It  is  not  improper  here  to  observe,  that 
formerly  Major  Simcoe  had  forbidden  the  soldiers  to 
take  watches,  and  indeed  did  so  after  this,  'till  he 
accidentally  overheard  a  man  say  it  was  not  worth 
while  to  bring  in  a  prisoner  ;  he  therefore  made  it  a 
rule,  that  any  one  who  took  a  prisoner,  if  he  publicly 
declared  he  had  his  watch,  should  keep  it ;  so  that  no 
soldier  was  interested  to  kill  any  man.     This  spirit 
of  taking  as  many  prisoners  as  possible  was  most 


a 


f-9ilE  QITF     »S  R\N(ii:Rfil. 


27 


earnestly  atlRfllped  to  Ytk  inculcated,  and  not  without 
success.     Soon  after,  at<  a  strong  patrole  of  cavalry, 
under  Major  Gwyn,  was  out,  some  of  its  men  returned 
in  great  confusion,  saying,  "  that  they  were  attacked 
"  by  a  superior  body,  both  in  front  and  rear :'  at  the 
same  time  Colonel  Twistleton  and  Major  Simcoe,  who 
were  on  the  Knoll,  occupied  by  the  piquet  of  the 
Rangers,  could  perceive  by  the  glittering  of  arms,  a 
large  body  of  foot  in  a  wood,  near  which  Major  Gwyn 
was  to  return,  they  immediately  took  their  respective 
piquets,  about  twenty  men,  and  marched  to  mask  the 
wood.    The  soldiers  in  camp  were  ordered  to  run  to 
the  Knoll,  without  waiting,  and  the  officer  of  the 
piquet  was  directed  to  form  them   as  fast  as  they 
came  up,  by  t»v  elves,  and  to  forward  them  under  the 
first  officer  or  Serjeant  who  should  arrive.    The  whole 
regiment  and  the  light  infantry  of  the  guards  were 
soon  on  the  march ;  the  enemy  in  the  wood  retreated ; 
and  gaining   better  intelligence.  Colonel  Twisleton 
halted  on  the  verge  of  it,  till  Major  Gwyn,  who  had 
beaten  back  the  enemy,  returned.    The  next  day  it 
was  known  that  Pulaski  had  commanded  the  enemy : 
a  skirmish  had  happened  the  day  before,  between 
smaller  parties,  and  he,  supposing  that  a  large  patrole 
would  be  sent  out  from  Philadelphia,  obtained  the 
command  of  a  very  strong  one  to  ambuscade  it ;  but, 
however  able  and  spirited  he  might  be,  he  was  soon 
convinced  that  his  irregulars  could  not  withstand  the 
promptitude  and  strength  of  the  British  cavalry. 

Parties  of  the  Rangers  every  day  went  to  Frank- 
fort, where  the  enemy  no  longer  kept  a  fixed  post, 


mm 


nrr 


ir  • 


28 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  OPERATIONS 


li?- 


■  m 


i- . 


M  '^'J^i 


though  they  frequently  sent  a  patrole  to  stop  the  market 
people.  A  patrolling  party  of  the  Rangers  approach- 
ed undiscovered  so  close  to  a  rebel  sentinel,  posted 
upon  the  bridge,  that  it  would  have  been  easy  to  have 
killed  hun.  A  boy,  whom  he  had  just  examined,  was 
sent  back  to  inform  him  of  this,  and  to  direct  him  im- 
mediately to  quit  his  post  or  that  he  should  be  shot ; 
he  ran  off,  and  the  whole  party,  on  his  arrival  at  the 
guard,  fled  with  equal  precipitation  ;  nor  were  there 
any  more  sentinels  placed  there :  a  matter  of  some 
consequence  to  the  poor  people  of  Philadelphia,  as 
they  were  not  prevented  from  getting  their  flour 
ground  at  Frankfort  mills. 

It  was  the  object,  to  instil  into  the  men,  that  their 
superiority  lay  in  close  fight,  and  in  the  use  of  the 
bayonet,  in  which  the  individual  courage,  and  person- 
al activity  that  characterise  the  British  soldier  can 
best  display  themselves.  The  whole  corps  being  to- 
gether on  the  Frankfort  road,  information  was  receiv- 
ed that  Pulaski  with  his  cavalry  was  approaching ;  on 
each  side  of  the  road,  for  some  distance,  there  was 
wood,  and  very  high  rails  fenced  it  from  the  road ; 
the  march  was  not  interrupted,  and  the  following  dis- 
position was  made  to  attack  him.  The  light  infantry 
in  front  were  loaded,  and  occupied  the  whole  space  of 
the  road ;  Captain  Stephenson,  who  commanded  it, 
was  directed  not  to  fire  at  one  or  two  men,  who  might 
advance,  but,  either  on  their  firing  or  turning  back,  to 
give  notice  of  his  approach,  to  follow  at  a  brisk  and 
steady  rate,  and  to  fire  only  on  the  main  body  when 
he  came  close  to  them.    The  eight  battalion  compa- 


(i 


i( 


en 
cor 
the 
dieri 
men 


market 
»roach- 
poBted 
to  have 
ed,  was 
lim  im- 
e  shot ; 
1  at  the 
e  there 
)f  some 
phia,  as 
sir  flour 

lat  their 
e  of  the 
person- 
dier  can 
)eing  to- 
8  receiv- 
ling;  on 
lere  was 
lie  road ; 
wring  dis- 
infantry 
space  of 
landed  it, 
ho  might 
back,  to 
brisk  and 
)dy  when 
Q  compa- 


OF  THE  queen's  RANGERS. 


29 


nies  were  formed  about  thirty  feet  from  the  Hght  in- 
fantry, in  close  column  by  companies,  their  bayonets 
fixed,  and  not  loaded ;  they  were  mstructed  not  to 
heed  the  enemy's  horses,  but  to  bayonet  the  men. 
The  grenadiers  and  Highland  company  were  in  the 
rear,  loaded;  and  the  directions  given  to  Captain 
Armstrong  were,  that  the  grenadiers  should  cross  the 
fences  on  the  right,  and  the  Highlanders  those  on  the 
left,  and  secure  the  flanks ;  the  men  were  so  prepared 
and  so  chearful,  that  if  an  opportunity  of  rushing  on 
Pulaski's  cavalry  had  offered,  which  by  the  winding 
of  the  road  was  probable,  before  they  could  be  put 
into  career,  there  remains  no  doubt  upon  the  minds  of 
those  who  were  present,  but  that  it  would  have  been 
a  very  honourable  day  for  the  Rangers. 

On  the  3d  of  November  the  news  of  the  surrender 
of  General  Burgoyne's  army  was  communicated  in 
general  orders.  It  was  read  to  the  Rangers  on  their 
parade ;  and  amidst  the  distress  that  such  an  event 
must  naturally  occasion  to  Englishmen  and  soldiers, 
never  did  Major  Simcoe  feel  himself  more  elevated,  or 
augur  better  of  the  officers  and  men  he  had  the  honour 
to  command,  than  when  he  came  to  the  rejection  of 
one  of  the  proposed  articles,  in  the  following  terms : 
"  Sooner  than  this  army  will  consent  to  ground  their 
"  arms  in  their  encampment,  they  will  rush  on  the 
"  enemy,  determined  to  take  no  quarter ;"  the  whole 
corps  thrilled  with  animation,  and  resentment  against 
the  enemy,  and  with  sympathy  for  their  fellow  sol- 
diers ;  it  would  have  been  the  most  favorable  mo- 
ment, had  the  enemy  appeared,  to  have  attacked  them. 
2 


K  -'r 


•(. . .  .■ 


m 


30 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  OPERATIONS 


n 


1-, 


^ 


Major  Grymes,  a  Virginia  gentleman  of  loyalty,  edu- 
cation, and  fortune,  who  was  second  Major  of  the 
Queen's  Rangers,  at  this  time  resigned  his  commis- 
sion, to  the  great  regret  of  Major  Simcoe  and  of  the 
corps,  whose  confidence  he  had  won  by  extricating 
them  from  a  very  disadvantageous  situation,  by  a  de- 
cisive and  bold  exertion  at  Brandy  wine :  he  was  suc- 
ceeded in  duties,  with  the  rank  of  Captain  Command- 
ant, by  Lieutenant  Ross  of  the  35th  regiment,  with 
whose  intrepidity,  and  zeal  for  the  service.  Major 
Simcoe  was  well  acquainted. 

The  redoubts  in  front  of  Philadelphia  being  finish- 
ed, the  advance  piquets  were  withdrawn  and  posted 
in  them,  that  of  the  Queen's  Rangers  excepted ;  it 
remained  without  the  redoubt,  though  it  had  fallen 
back  much  nearer  to  it :  it  was  liable  to  insult,  but  it 
would  have  been  difiicult  to  have  surprised  it.  The 
Knoll  was  still  the  outpost,  and  the  general  place  to 
which  many  of  the  officers  of  the  line  rode,  in  order 
to  laugh  at  the  mounted  men  and  their  habiliments ; 
but  other  troops  of  cavalry  were  now  raising,  and  the 
utility  of  them,  through  all  the  ridicule  of  bad  horses 
and  want  of  appointments,  became  very  obvious. 

On  General  Washington's  occupying  the  camp  at 
Whitemarsh,  Sir  Wilham  Howe  thought  proper  to 
move  towards  him,  and  the  army  marched  according- 
ly on  the  5th  of  December ;  the  Queen's  Rangers 
were  ordered  to  flank  the  right  of  the  baggage.  The 
army  encamped  on  Chesnut-Hill  and  its  vicinity  ;  and 
the  piquet  of  the  Rangers  made  fires  on  the  road 
that  led  to  it,  so  that  the  approach  of  any  parties  of 


of 


I  ■  I'?  •  i 


OF  THE  queen's  rangers. 


31 


ilty,edu- 
ir  of  the 
commis- 
id  of  the 
tricating 
by  a  de- 
ivas  suc- 
)mmand- 
mt,  with 
B,  Major 

ig  finish- 
id  posted 
3pted;  it 
Lad  fallen 
lit,  but  it 
it.  The 
I  place  to 
,  in  order 
iliments ; 
r,  and  the 
ad  horses 
ious. 

)  camp  at 
proper  to 
ccording- 
Rangers 
ge.  The 
inity  ;  and 
the  road 
parties  of 


the  enemy  could  easily  be  seen.  The  army  remained 
the  next  day  in  the  sanie  position.  On  the  7th,  uX 
night,  Major  Simcoc  with  the  Queen's  Rangers,  and  a 
party  of  dragoons  under  Captain  Lord  Catiicart,  took 
up  the  position  of  some  of  the  troops  who  had  retir- 
ed ;  this  post  was  sometime  afterwards  quitted  in 
great  silence,  and  he  joined  the  cokunn  that  was 
marching  under  Generjil  Gray.  The  General  march- 
ed all  night,  and  on  approaching  the  enemy's  outpost, 
he  formed  his  cohmm  into  three  divisions;  the  ad- 
vanced guard  of  the  centre  consisted  of  the  Hessian 
Yagers,  who  marched  with  tlieir  cannon  up  the  road 
that  led  through  the  wood,  in  which  the  enemy's  light 
troops  were  posted ;  the  light  infantry  of  the  guards 
advanced  upon  the  right,  and  the  Queen's  Rangers  on 
the  left ;  the  enemy  were  outflanked  on  each  wing, 
and  were  turned  in  attempting  to  escape  by  the  un- 
paralleled swiftness  of  the  light  infantry  of  the  guards, 
and  driven  across  the  (ire  of  the  Yagers,  and  the 
Queen's  Rangers.  The  loss  of  the  rebels  was  com- 
puted at  near  an  hundred,  with  little  or  none  on  the 
part  of  the  King's  troops;  a  mounted  vr.in  of  the 
Queen's  Rangers,  in  the  pursuit,  was  killed  by  a 
Yager,  through  mistake  :  he  wore  a  helmet  that  had 
been  taken  from  a  rebel  patrole  a  few  days  before. 
General  Grey  was  pleased  to  express  himself  highly 
satisfied  with  the  order  and  rapidity  with  which  the 
Ranjrers  advanced.  The  night  was  passed  in  a  wood 
not  far  from  the  enemy's  camp.  The  next  day  Major 
Simcoe  |)atrolled  in  the  vicinity  :  he  left  the  infantry 
of  his  party  at  the  edge  of  the  wood,  and  approach- 


J\  ■''Hi 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  OPERATIONS 


ed  a  house ;  the  owner  of  it,  who  supposed  that  all 
the  British  soldiers  wore  red,  was  easily  imposed 
upon  to  believe  him  a  rebel  officer,  and  a  cow-bell 
being,  as  preconcerted,  rang  in  the  wood,  and  an  Oi- 
ticer  gallopping  to  Major  Sinicoe  and  telling  him  that 
the  British  were  marauding  and  hunting  the  cattle, 
the  man  had  no  doubt  of  the  matter,  and  instantly 
acquiesced  in  a  proposal  to  fetch  some  more  cavalry 
to  seize  the  British  ;  he  accordingly  mounted  his 
horse  and  gallopped  oft".  The  ambuscade  was  prop- 
erly laid  f  )r  whomsoever  he  should  bring,  when  Cap- 
tain Andre  came  with  orders  to  retreat,  the  column 
being  already  in  motion  ;  the  infantry  were  scarce 
sent  off  and  the  mounted  men  following,  when  about 
thirty  of  the  rebel  dragoons  appeared  in  sight  and  on 
the  gallop  ;  they  fired  several  carbine  shot,  to  no  pur- 
pose.    The  army  returned  to  Philadelphia. 

The  disaster  that  happened  to  the  mounted  Ranger 
determined  Major  Simcoe  to  provide  high  caps, 
which  might  at  once  distinguish  them  both  from  the 
rebel  army  and  their  own  ;  the  mounted  men  were 
termed  Huzzars,  v.ere  armed  with  a  sword,  and  such 
pistols  as  could  be  bought,  or  taken  from  the  enemy  ; 
Major  Simcoe's  wish  was  to  add  a  dagger  to  these 
arms,  not  only  ns  useful  in  close  action,  but  to  lead  the 
minds  of  the  soldier  to  e.\i)ect  that  d(»cisive  mode  of 
combat.  Sevt>ral  good  horses  had  been  taken  from 
the  rebels,  so  that  the  Iluzzars  were  now  well  mount- 
<k1,  on  hardy  serviceable  horses,  which  bore  n  very 
unusual  share  of  fatigue.  Lieutenant  \Vi(*,kham,  an 
officer  of  (|uickness,  and  courage,  was  appointed  to 


I 


I  'i-'"''^. 


OF  THE  queen's  RANGERS. 


33 


that  all 
imposed 
cow-bell 
d  an  Of- 
him  that 
le  cattle, 
instantly 
;  cavalry 
nted  his 
as  prop- 
tien  Cap- 
3  column 
e  scarce 
en  about 
lit  and  on 
)  no  pur- 

d  Ranger 
gh  caps, 
from  the 
icn  were 
and  such 
i;  enemy ; 
r  to  these 
o  lead  the 
>  mode  ol' 
ken  from 
■II  mount- 
»re  a  very 
UImm,  an 
lointed  to 


command  them,  and  a  Serjeant  of  the  IGth  regiment 
of  light  dragoons  attended  their  parade,  to  give  them 
regularity  in  its  duties. 

Several  men  having  deserted.  Major  Simcoe  direct- 
ed that  the  countersign  should  not  be  given  to  the  sen- 
tinels ;  they  were  ordered  to  stop  any  persons  at  a 
distance,  more  than  one,  until  the  guard  turned  out ; 
and  in  posting  of  sentinels,  the  rule  was,  to  place  them 
so  that,  if  possible,  they  could  see  and  not  be  seen, 
and  in  different  posts  in  the  night  from  those  of  the 
day.  Near  high-roads,  double  sentinels,  without  be- 
ing loaded,  were  advanced  beyond  the  front  of  the 
chain  ;  these  were  composed  of  old  soldiers  who,  with 
all  others,  were  sedulously  instructed  to  challenge  very 
loud.  The  sentinels  were  relieved  every  hour.  The 
subaltern  frequently  patrolled,  as  did  the  c.Tptain  of  the 
day,  and  the  field  officers  :  the  consequence  was,  that 
the  Queen's  Rangers  never  gave  a  false  alarm,  or  had 
a  sentinel  surprised,  during  the  war.  It  is  remarkable 
that  a  man  deserted  at  this  time  who  left  all  his  neces- 
saries, regimentals  excepted :  he  had  lately  come  from 
Europe,  and,  to  all  appearance,  had  enlisted  merely  to 
facilitate  his  joining  the  rebel  army. 

It  may  be  here  a  proper  place  to  describe  the  coun- 
try in  front  of  Philadelphia  ;  and  the  general  duties 
on  which  the  Queen's  Rangers  were  employed,  during 
the  winter. 

The  n)ad  on  the  right,  and  nearest  the  Delaware, 
has  been  already  mentioned  by  the  name  of  the  Frank- 
fort road  :  Irom  the  centre  of  Philadelphia,  the  main 
road  led  up  the  country,  and  about  two  miles  off,  at 


■■■■;*.. 


ifTT 


ii  ! 


34 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  OPERATIONS 


•  i' ; 


the  Rising  Sun,  it  branched  into  the  Old  York  road  on 
the  right,  and  that  of  the  Gerniantown  on  tlie  left. 
The  light  infantry  of  the  guards  patrolled  up  the 
York-Town  road,  as  that  of  the  line  did  the  German- 
town  ;  those  that  ran  on  the  side  of  the  Schuylkill, 
were  in  front  of  the  Yagers,  and  patrolled  by  them. 
The  Queen's  Rangers,  by  their  position,  were  at  the 
greatest  distance  from  Mr.  Washington's  camp,  which 
was  now  at  Valley  Forge,  beyond  the  Schuylkill,  and 
as  the  course  of  the  Delaw  are  inclined  away  from  the 
Schuylkill,  the  distance  Avas  considerably  increased ; 
so  that  no  detachment  from  his  camp  could  have  been 
made  without  extreme  hazard  ;  from  the  York-Town 
road,  therefore,  on  the  left,  and  the  Delaware  river  on 
the  right,  Major  Simcoe  felt  no  apprehensions  ;  when 
lie  passed  Frankfort  creek  in  front  he  was  to  be  guid- 
ed by  circumstances.  The  general  directions  he  re- 
ceived was  to  secure  the  country,  and  facilitate  the 
inhabitants  bringing  in  their  produce  to  market. 

To  prevent  this  intercourse,  the  enemy  added,  to 
the  severe  exertions  of  their  civil  powers,  their  mili- 
tia. The  roads,  the  creeks,  and  the  general  inclina- 
tion of  the  inhabitants  to  the  British  government,  and 
to  their  own  profit,  aided  the  endeavour  of  the  Queen's 
Rangers.  The  redoubt  on  the  right  had  been  garri- 
soned by  the  corps  till,  on  Major  Simcoe's  representa- 
tion that  the  duly  was  too  severe,  it  was  given  to  the 
line  :  within  this  redoubt  the  corps  fitted  up  their  bar- 
racks. The  4tli  of  January  was  the  first  day  since 
their  landing  at  the  head  of  Elk,  that  any  man  could 
be  permitted  to  uuaccoutre. 


tk 
tk 
t« 

4k 

4<   , 

I 

t<    . 
( 

M^ 


3ad  on 
e  left, 
p   the 
jrinaii- 
Liylkill, 
them, 
at  the 
,  which 
ill,  and 
oni  the 
rcased ; 
ve  been 
L-Town 
fiver  on 
;  when 
3e  guid- 
8  he  ro- 
tate the 
et. 

Ided,  to 
eir  niili- 
inclina- 
lent,  and 
Queen's 
Ml  garri- 
jrescnta- 
11  to  the 
heir  bar- 
lay  since 
lan  could 


OF  THE  queen's  RANGERS. 


35 


There  is  not  an  officer  in  the  world  who  is  ignorant, 
that  permitting  the  soldier  to  plunder,  or  maraud, 
nmst  inevitably  destroy  him  ;  that,  in  a  civil  war,  it 
must  alienate  the  large  body  of  people  who,  in  such  a 
contest,  are  desirous  of  neutrality,  and  sour  their 
minds  into  dissatisfaction  :  but,  however  obvious  the 
necessity  may  be,  there  is  nothing  more  difficult  than 
for  a  commander  in  chief  to  prevent  marauding.  The 
numerous  orders  that  are  extant  in  King  Charles'  and 
the  Parhament's  army,  prove  it  in  those  dreadful 
times  ;  and  the  Duke  of  Argyle,  in  his  description  of 
the  Dutch  auxiliaries,  in  the  year  1715,  who,  he  says, 
"  were  mighty  apt  to  mistake  friend  for  foe,"  exempli- 
hes  the  additional  difficulty  where  foreign  troops  are 
combined  with  natives.  No  officer  couM  possibly  feel 
the  attention  that  was  necessary  to  this  duty  more 
strongly  than  Major  Simcoe,  and  he  thought  himself 
warranted  to  declare,  when  a  general  order  was  given 
out  to  enforce  it,  "  that  it  is  with  the  utmost  satisfac- 
'*  tion  Major  Simcoe  believes  there  would  have  been 
"  no  necessity  for  the  general  orders  of  this  day,  had 
"  every  corps  of  the  army  been  as  regular,  in  respect 
*'  to  their  abstaining  from  plunder  and  marauding,  as 
'•  the  Rangers.  He  trusts,  that  so  truly  a  military 
'*  behaviour  will  be  continued  ;  and  that  the  officer 
'•  and  soldier  of  the  corps  will  consider  it  as  honour- 
'"  able  to  him  as  the  most  distinguished  bravery." 
Vlajor  Siiucoe  took  care  to  prevent  the  jiossibility  of 
plunder,  as  much  as  lay  in  his  power:  he  never  lialt- 
<'d,  if  he  could  avoid  it,  hut  in  a  wood  ;  sent  safe- 
guards to  every  house ;  allowed  no  man,  in  march- 


,    '■    '      "I 


36 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  OPERATIONS 


,    I 


ing,  to  quit  his  ranks ;  and  was,  in  general,  success- 
ful in  instilling  into  the  minds  of  the  men,  that  while 
they  protected  the  country,  the  inhabitants  would 
give  every  information  of  the  enemy's  movements  and 
ambuscades.  The  officers  were  vigilant  in  their  at- 
tention to  this  duty,  and  the  soldiers  had  admirable 
examples  of  discipline  and  good  order,  from  the  na- 
tive loyalists  of  the  corps,  who  were  mostly  non- 
commissioned officers.  On  the  contrary,  the  rebel 
patroles,  who  came  to  stop  the  markets,  were  con- 
sidered by  the  country  people  as  robbers  ;  and  pri- 
vate signals  were  every  where  established,  by  which 
the  smallest  party  of  the  Rangers  would  have  been 
safe  in  the  patrolling  the  country.  The  general  mode 
that  Major  Simcoe  adopted  was,  to  keep  perfectly 
secret  the  hour,  the  road,  and  the  manner  of  his 
march ;  to  penetrate,  in  one  body,  about  ten  miles 
into  the  country.  This  body  generally  marched  in 
three  divisions,  one  hundred  yards  from  each  other, 
so  that  it  would  have  required  a  large  force  to  have 
embraced  the  whole  in  an  ambuscade,  and  either  di- 
vision, being  upon  the  flank,  it  would  have  been  haz- 
ardous for  an  enemy  so  inferior  in  every  respect,  but 
numbers,  as  the  rebels  were,  to  have  encountered  it ; 
at  ten  or  twelve  miles  the  corps  divided,  and  ambus- 
caded different  roads ;  and  at  the  appointed  time  re- 
turned home.  There  was  not  a  bye  path  or  ford 
unknown,  and  the  Huzzars  would  generally  patrole 
some  miles  in  front  of  the  infantry.  The  market  peo- 
ple, who  over-night  would  get  into  the  woods,  came 
out  on  the  appearance  of  the  corps,  and  proceeded 


OF  THE  queen's  RANGERS. 


37 


Lccess- 
t  while 
would 
nts  and 
eir  at- 
nirable 
the  na- 
y  non- 
B  rebel 
re  con- 
ind  pri- 
r  which 
e  been 
al  mode 
erfectly 
r  of  his 
n  miles 
ched  in 
h  other, 
to  have 
ither  di- 
en  haz- 
lect,  but 
ered  it ; 
ambus- 
time  re- 
or  ford 
patrolc 
ket  peo- 
Is,  came 
•oceeded 


I 


uninterruptedly,  and  from  market  they  had  an  escort, 
whenever  it  Avas  presumed  that  the  enemy  was  on  the 
Philadelphia  side  of  Frankfort  to  intercept  them  on 
their  return  into  the  woods.  The  infantry,  however 
inclement  the  weather,  seldom  marched  less  than  nine- 
ty miles  a  week ;  the  flank  companies,  Highlanders, 
and  Huzzars,  frequently  more  :  these  marches  were, 
by  many  people,  deemed  adventurous,  and  the  de- 
struction of  the  corps  was  frequently  prophesied. 
The  detail  that  has  been  exhibited,  and  experience, 
takes  away  all  appearance  of  improper  temerity ;  and, 
by  these  patroles,  the  corps  was  formed  to  that  toler- 
ance of  fatigue,  and  marching,  v/hich  excelled  that  of 
the  chosen  light  troops  of  the  army,  as  will  hereafter 
l)e  shown. 

These  matters  have  been  dwelt  upon,  not  only  as 
they  exhibit  what  is  conceived  to  have  been  the  drill- 
ing of  the  Queen's  Rangers  for  more  important  ser- 
vices, but,  as  it  proves  that  the  protection  of  Phila- 
delphia and  the  opening  a  way  to  its  markets,  were 
provided  for  by  Sir  William  Howe,  and  that  his  orders 
were  systematically  and  industriously  obeyed. 

The  Huzzars, by  this  time, were  encreased  to  thirty, 
mounted  on  such  horses  as  they  had  taken  from  the 
t'uemy  ;  and  Ensign  Proctor  was  added  to  them.  The 
country  in  front  of  Philadelphia  was  foraged,  and  the 
(Queen's  Rangers  formed  the  advance  guard  of  the 
parties  which  made  it ;  but  it  was  with  great  reluct- 
ance that  Major  Simcoe  saw  Point-no-Point  included 
in  the  general  forage,  as  he  had  taken  particular  care 
to  preserve  it  from  plunder  ;  it  is  impossible  to  pro- 


*: 


'"■ 


"         "I 


?;■ 


38 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  OPERATIONS 


tect  any  country  from  the  depredeations  of  foraging 
parties.  The  clothing  of  the  Provincials  was  served 
by  contract ;  the  duties  of  the  Queen's  Rangers  would 
have  worn  out  much  better ;  they  were  obliged,  by 
the  inclemency  of  the  weather,  to  wear  the  new  ones, 
without  altering.  It  being  determined,  for  the  next 
year,  to  cloth  the  Provincials  in  red,  Major  Simcoe 
exerted  himself  to  preserve  the  Rangers  in  green,  and 
to  procure  for  them  green  waistcoats :  his  purpose 
was  to  wear  the  waistcoats  with  their  sleeves  during 
the  campaign,  and  to  add  sleeves  to  the  shell,  or  outer 
coat,  to  be  worn  over  the  waistcoats  in  winter  :  green 
is  Avithout  comparison  the  best  color  for  light  troops 
with  dark  accoutrements  ;  and  if  put  on  in  the  spring, 
by  autumn  it  nearly  fades  with  the  leaves,  preserving 
its  characteristic  of  bcuig  scarcely  discernable  at  a 
distance. 

At  the  end  of  February,  General  Wayne  having 
been  detached  from  Washington's  army  to  collect 
such  cattle  as  were  in  the  lower  Jersies,  Sir  William 
Howe  sent  Lieutenant-Colonel  Abercrombie  down 
the  Delaware,  to  land  and  attack  him,  while  Colonel 
Stirling  with  the  42d  regiment  and  the  Queen's  Ran- 
gers, crossed  that  river  opposite  to  Philadelphia,  and 
marched  to  Haddonfield,  to  intercept  him  ;  at  the 
same  time,  a  detachment  under  Colonel  Markham 
passed  over,  and  took  post  at  Cooper's  ferry,  to  col- 
lect forage  in  its  vicinity.  Colonel  Stirling  reached 
Haddonfield  early  in  the  morning ;  some  stragglers 
of  Wayne's  corps  had  just  left  it  as  he  arrived  there. 
The  ground  in  front  of  the  village  was  immediately 


OF  THE  queen's  RANGERS. 


39 


.raging 
served 
;  would 
;ed,  by 
IV  ones, 
le  next 
Simcoe 
!en,  and 
purpose 
i  during 

or  outer 
:  green 
t  troops 
!  spring, 
eserving 
t)le  at  a 

;  having 
collect 
William 
down 
Colonel 
n's  Ran- 
ua,  and 
at  the 
arkham 
to  col- 
reached 
tragglers 
ed  there, 
iiediately 


le 


occupied :   the  Queen's  Rangers  on  the  left,  with 
their  left  flank  to  a  creek  which  nearly  extended  the 
whole  length  of  their  front.    A  circumstance  happen- 
ed here,  which,  though  not  unusual  in  America  and 
in  the  rebel  mode  of  warfare,  it  is  presumed  is  singu- 
lar elsewhere.    As  Major  Simcoe  was  on  horseback, 
in  conversation  with  Lieutenant  Whitlock,  and  near 
the  out  sentinels,  a  rifle  was  fired,  and  the  ball  grazed 
between  them;  the  ground  they  were  on  being  higher 
than  the  opposite  bank,  the  man  who  had  fired  was 
plainly  seen,  running  oflf :  Lieutenant  Whitlock,  with 
the  sentinels,  pursued  him,  and  the  guard  followed  in 
case  of  necessity,  the  piquets  occupying  their  place ; 
the  man  was  turned  by  Mr.  Whitlock,  and  intercepted, 
and  taken  by  the  sentinels.     On  being  questioned, 
"  how  he  presumed  to  fire  in  such  a  manner  ?"  he  an- 
swered, "that  he  had  frequently  fired  at  the  Hes- 
"  sians,  (who  a  few  weeks  before  had  been  there,)  and 
"  thought  he  might  as  well  do  so  again."    As  he  lived 
within  half  a  mile  of  the  spot,  had  he  not  been  taken 
and  the  patroles  pushed  there  the  next  day,  they 
would  have  found  him,  it  is  probable,  employed  in  his 
household  matters,  and  strenously  denying  that  he 
either  possessed,  or  had  fired  a  gun :  he  was  sent  pri- 
soner to  Philadelphia.    Upon  posting  the  guards,  at 
night,  they  were  augmented  so  as  to  have  the  rounds 
every  fifteen  minutes,  and  Major  Simcoe  recommend- 
ed to  the  ofllicer  to  be  particularly  alert,  as  it  was 
reasonable  to  presume  that  Wayne,  who  had  been 
surprised  by  General  Grey,  could  have  but  two  ideas : 
the  one  of  being  surprized  himself,  which  the  distance 


■'.  ■ft 


W: 


,1 '  r.  ,1 


i  !: 


0 


40 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  OPERATIONS 


prevented ;  and  the  other  of  retaliation ;  which,  ha- 
ving secured  his  convoy  and  being  master  of  the 
country,  there  was  every  reason  to  apprehend  and 
guard  against. 

Early  the  next  morning  Major  Simcoe  was  detached 
to  destroy  such  boats  and  stores  as  were  upon  Tim- 
ber creek,  and  which  had  been  conveyed  thither  when 
the  naval  armaments  on  the  Delaware  were  burnt. 
As  the  boats  appeared  valuable,  and  some  Refugees 
offered  to  carry  them  to  Philadelphia,  they  were  ac- 
cordingly directed  to  fall  down  the  creek ;  when  for- 
tunately one  hundred  and  fifty  barrels  of  tar,  of  which 
the  fleet  was  in  want,  were  discovered,  and  with  this 
the  boats  were  laden,  and  sent  to  Captain  Hammond, 
who  commanded  the  navy  in  the  Delaware.  The 
party  return;  d  in  the  evening  with  some  few  militia 
as  prisoners,  who,  from  their  green  clothing,  had 
mistaken  the  Rangers  for  what  they  attempted  to  ap- 
pear— ^Wayne's  rear  guard.  At  midnight,  Colonel 
Stirling  sent  for  Major  Simcoe,  who  found  at  his 
quarters  one  of  those  Refugees  to  whom  the  boats 
had  been  intrusted :  he  related,  that  during  their  pro- 
gress down  the  creek,  they  had  been  attacked  by  the 
militia  of  the  country,  and  that  amidst  the  confusion 
he  got  ashore,  and  escaped.  Major  Simcoe  was  di- 
rected to  march  as  early  as  possible,  and  to  quell  any 
of  the  militia  who  might  be  there,  and  to  give  an  op- 
portunity for  the  Refugees,  who  most  probably  had 
concealed  themselves  in  the  marshes,  to  escape.  Be- 
fore day-break  Major  Simcoe  surrounded  the  house 
of  Tew,  a  militia  lieutenant,  with  the  Huzzars,  and  in 


ii 


J-  -'■■... 


OF  THE  queen's  RANGERS. 


41 


ch,  ha- 

of  the 

nd  and 

Btached 
►n  Tim- 
er when 
3  burnt, 
tefugees 
vere  ac- 
hen  for- 
af  which 
ivith  this 
immond. 
•6.    The 
w  mihtia 
ling,  had 
ed  to  ap- 

Colonel 
d  at  his 
he  boats 
heir  pro- 
ed  by  the 
confusion 
B  was  di- 

quell  any 
ve  an  op- 
)ably  had 
ape.  Be- 
the  house 
irs,  and  in 


perfect  secrecy  and  silence  lay  there  until  the  arrival 
of  the  infantry :  Tew  was  supposed  to  have  headed 
some  of  his  neighbors  in  arms,  as  it  was  well  known 
there  was  no  body  of  men  in  the  country,  and  only 
a  few  inhabitants  who  could  possibly  be  collected. 
Captain  Saunders,  with  the  cavalry  and  some  infantry, 
was  sent  further  down  the  creek,  to  procure  informa- 
tion. There  was  nobody  in  Tcw's  house  but  his  wife 
and  other  females  ;  she  was  informed,  that  if  her  hus- 
band, as  was  supposed,  appeared  to  be  at  the  head 
of  the  party,  who,  contrary  to  common  prudence  and 
the  rules  of  war,  had  fired  upon  the  boats  the  prece- 
ding night,  his  house  should  be  burnt,  as  an  example 
to  deter  others ;  at  the  same  time  she  mig!it  have 
assistance  to  remove  her  furniture,  and  to  save  it  in 
an  outhouse,  for  which  purpose  some  Refugees,  her 
former  neighbors,  offered  to  assist  her ;  and  prepara- 
tions were  accordingly  making,  when  Captain  Saun- 
ders returned  with  certain  information,  that  a  preda- 
tory party  from  the  shipping  at  Philadelphia,  imagin- 
ing themselves  secure  from  the  troops  being  at  Had- 
donfield,  had  rowed  up  the  creek,  and  meeting  the 
Refugees,  they  fired  upon  each  other,  but  the  mistake 
being  soon  discovered,  they  returned  together  to  the 
Delaware.  Tew's  house,  of  course,  remained  unin- 
jured, and  the  troops  marched  back  to  Iladdonfield, 
and  early  the  next  morning  made  an  excursion  on  the 
road  to  Egg-harbour,  to  get  what  cattle  and  rum  (of 
which  there  was  intelligence)  might  be  found  on  it. 
The  advanced  part  of  the  corps,  and  the  Huzzars, 
marched  about  twenty  miles  from  Iladdonfield ;  a  few 


# 


.'  ;i 


':  •    Ml 


0''    fM 


.''1* 


ii 

ii 

■1 

;i 

1   !  :\ 

1 

1 

i.;-; 

s^'^ 

i 


42 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  OPERATIONS 


Ii!  . 


hogsheads  of  rum  and  some  cattle  were  procured,  and 
some  tobacco  destroyed.  On  the  return,  and  about 
two  miles  from  Haddonfield,  Major  Simcoe  was  ob- 
serving to  some  officers  a  peculiar  strong  ground, 
when,  looking  back,  he  saw  a  house  that  he  had  pass- 
ed in  flames ;  it  was  too  far  gone  for  all  his  endeav- 
ors to  save  it ;  he  was  exceedingly  hurt  at  the  circum- 
stance, but  neither  threats  of  punishment,  nor  offers 
of  reward,  could  induce  a  discovery :  this  was  the 
only  instance  of  a  disorder  of  this  nature  that  ever 
happened  under  his  command,  and  he  afterwards 
knew  it  was  not  perpetrrted  by  any  of  the  Queen's 
Rangers.  At  night,  a  man  arrived  at  the  outpost, 
furnished  with  such  credentials  as  made  it  proper  to 
believe  his  information :  his  account  was,  that  Wayne 
was  on  his  march  from  mount  Holly,  to  attack  the 
troops  at  Haddonfield,  and  that  he  intended  to  make 
a  circuit  to  fall  in  upon  the  right ;  the  man  was  im- 
mediately forwarded  to  Colonel  StirUng ;  and  Major 
Simcoe  remarked  to  Captain  Saunders,  his  confiden- 
tial friend,  "  that  probably  Colonel  Stirling  would  send 
"  for  him,  and,  if  any  room  should  be  left  for  consul- 
"  tation,  his  advice  would  be,  that  the  whole  corps 
"  should  move  forward  and  ambuscade  Wayne's  march 
"  on  the  strong  ground  which  Major  Simcoe  had  re- 
"  marked  a  few  hours  before ;  that  every  inhabitant 
"  of  the  town  should  be  secured,  and  the  Huzzars  left 
"  to  take  post  at  the  direct  roads ;  that,  upon  inform- 
"  ation  being  forwarded  to  Sir  Wilham  Howe,  Colonel 
"  Markham  would  probably  be  sent  to  Haddonfield, 
'^  and  possibly  a  strong  corps  embarked,  and  passed 


«, 


OF  THE  queen's  RANGERS. 


43 


■ed,  and 
i  about 
vas  ob- 
ground, 
id  pass- 
endeav- 
circum- 
>r  ofters 
was  the 
hat  ever 
;erwards 
Queen's 
outpost, 
roper  to 
t  Wayne 
tack  the 
to  make 
was  im- 
id  Major 
jonfiden- 
)uld  send 
r  consul- 
>le  corps 
3's  march 
had  re- 
ihabitant 
zzars  left 
n  inform- 
,  Colonel 
idonfield, 
d  passed 


"  up  the  Delaware,  above  Wayne."  Major  Simcoe 
accordingly  was  sent  for,  but  it  was  to  receive  direc- 
tions for  an  immediate  retreat :  Colonel  Stirling  un- 
derstanding that  the  force  under  Wayne  had  been  so 
considerably  augmented,  that  it  would  be  imprudent 
to  remain  at  Haddonlield ;  his  business  there  being 
completed,  and  his  intentions,  otherwise,  being  to  re- 
turn the  next  morning ;  the  rum  was  staved,  and  the 
whole  detachment  prepared  to  march  immediately. 
In  consideration  of  the  fatigue  of  the  Queen's  Rang- 
ers, and  that  there  was  no  probabihty  of  any  action. 
Major  Simcoe  solicited  to  lead  the  march.  In  the 
mean  time,  some  of  the  enemy  fired  upon  the  advanc- 
ed posts  of  the  Rangers,  and  made  great  noise  to 
draw  their  attention  that  way  :  this  was  a  frequent 
mode  of  the  rebels  ;  it  might  have  been  proper  at  the 
moment  of  attack,  but  anticipating  it  for  some  hours, 
in  general  it  gave  a  knowledge  of  their  designs,  and 
increased  a  just  and  military  contempt  for  this  mode 
of  conducting  them.  The  night  was  uncommonly  se- 
vere, and  a  cold  sleet  fell  the  whole  way  from  Ilsiddon- 
field  to  Cooper's  ferry,  where  the  troops  •'rrived  late, 
and  the  ground  being  occupied  by  barns  and  forage, 
they  were  necessitated  to  pass  the  coldest  night  that 
they  ever  felt,  without  fire.  As  dawn  arrived,  the 
weather  cleared  up  ;  about  three  miles  and  a  half 
from  Cooper's  ferry,  and  half  a  mile  within  the  direct 
road  to  Haddonfield,  there  was  some  forage  remain- 
ing ;  fifty  of  the  4  2d  and  Rangers,  under  the  command 
of  Captain  Kerr,  were  sent  as  an  escort  to  the  wag- 
gons that  went  for  it.     Lieutenant  Wickham,  with 


i'*':'^'!] 


m 


■:-  ■■.\'\ 


:  ■'ii 


a. 'i 


m 


f:^i 

|i|    "■'' 

(; 

»'        ^' 

I; 

1 

( 

t 

V 

f;            " 

J 

-  -: 

44 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  OPERATIONS 


ten  Huzzars,  was  directed  by  Colonel  Stirling  to 
patrole  in  his  front  towards  Haddonficld.  A  few  miles 
off,  Lieutenant  Wickham  met  the  enemy  ;  he  sent  in- 
formation to  Captain  Kerr,  and  to  Colonel  Sti»-ling, 
and,  with  six  Huzzars,  attended  their  liont.  As  the 
road  led  through  thick  woods,  the  enemy  were  ap- 
prehensive of  ambuscades,  and  were  intimidated  by 
Lieutenant  Wickham's  frequently  calling  out,  as  to 
the  infantry,  "  to  halt,  not  to  march  so  fast,"  &lc.  &c., 
so  that  the  enemy's  cavalry,  though  more  than  two 
hundred,  did  not  rush  on  him.  He  gave  time  to  Cap- 
tain Kerr  to  retreat,  then  joined  and  returned  to  camp 
with  him,  ushering  the  enemy  to  the  very  outpost. 
The  line  was  formed  ;  the  42d  regiment  on  the  right, 
Colonel  Markham's  detachment  in  the  centre,  and  the 
Queen's  Rangers  on  the  left.  The  embarkation  still 
proceeded  ;  liie  horses  were  now  sent  off,  and,  as  the 
enemy  did  not  advance,  Colonel  Markham's  detach- 
ment followed  thorn.  It  was  scarce  half  way  over  the 
Delaware,  when  the  piijucts  were  attacked.  The  en- 
emy were  probably  induced  to  attack  earher  than  they 
intended,  by  a  barn  having  been  accidentally  set  on 
fire,  and  which  it  was  reasona[)le  for  them  to  suppose 
might  have  been  done  by  some  hirking  person,  after 
the  troops  in  general  had  embarked.  Upon  the  ap- 
pearance of  the  en(>my,  the  42(1  regiment  marched 
forward  in  line,  and  orders  were  sent  to  tlu;  Queen's 
Rangers  to  advance,  which  it  did,  in  column,  by  com- 
panies ;  Coo|)er's  creek  secured  its  left  tlank  ;  the  ar- 
tillery horses  of  the  thre(>  |)ound<'rs  being  embarked, 
the  seamen,  with  their  accustomed  alacrity,  offered  to 


■a 


■  (i  >•'  ',sp 


fling  to 
w  miles 
sent  in- 
stiling, 
As  the 
ere  ap- 
ated  by 
lit,  as  to 
^c.  &:c., 
Iian  two 
to  Cap- 
to  camp 
outpost. 
lie  right, 
,  and  the 
it  ion  still 
d,  as  the 
<  detach- 
over  the 
The  en- 
han  they 
ly  set  on 
suppose 
on,  after 
I  the  ap- 
marched 
;  Queen's 
,  by  coni- 
the  ar- 
mharUed, 
jll'ered  to 


i 


OF  THE  queen's  RANGERS. 


45 


draw  on  the  cannon  ;  the  artillery  followed  the  light 
infantry  company,  and  preceded  the  battalion.  Some 
of  the  enemy  appearing  on  the  opposite  bank  of  the 
Cooper  creek.  Captain  Armstrong,  with  the  grena- 
diers, was  directed  to  march  and  line  a  dyke  on  this 
side  :  an  advantage  the  enemy  had  not ;  and  to  keep 
off  any  stragglers  who  might  be  posted  there.  A 
heavy  fire  was  kept  up  on  the  right,  by  the  42d  ;  there 
was  nothing  opposed  to  the  Rangers  but  some  caval- 
ry, watching  their  motions,  and  as  Major  Sinicoe  ad- 
vanced rapidly  to  gain  an  eminence  in  front,  which  he 
conceived  to  be  a  strong  advantageous  position,  they 
fled  into  the  wood,  an  officer  excepted,  who,  reining 
back  his  horse,  and  fronting  the  Rangers  as  they  ad- 
vanced, slowly  waved  with  his  scinietar  for  his  at- 
tendants to  retire ;  the  light  infantry  being  within 
fifty  yards  of  him,  he  was  called  out  to,  "  You  are  a 
"  brave  fellow,  but  you  must  go  away,"  to  which  not 
paying  so  much  attention  as  he  ought,  M'Gill,  after- 
wards quarter  master,  was  directed  to  fire  at  him,  on 
which  he  retired  into  the  woods.  A  few  straggling 
shot  were  fired  in  the  front ;  the  light  infantry  com- 
pany was  detached  there,  and  suj)ported  by  the  High- 
landers, who  soon  cleared  the  front ;  the  battahon 
halted  on  the  advantageous  ground  it  had  moved  to- 
wards, and,  at  the  entreaties  of  the  sailors,  a  few  can- 
non shot  were  fired  at  a  party  of  the  enemy,  who  were 
near  the  bridge  over  Cooper  creek,  till  perceiving  they 
were  busy  in  destroying  it,  they  were  no  longer  in- 
terrupted :  the  firing  totally  ceased,  and  the  enemy 
retreated.    Some  few  of  the  Rangers  were  wounded, 


m 


'Hi 


40 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  OPERATIONS 


:l 


among  w 


n,  Serjeant  M'Pherson  of  the  grenadiers 
died  ;  in  every  respect  he  was  much  to  be  lamented. 
The  person  whom  M'Gill  fired  at,  proved  to  be  Pu- 
laski ;  his  horse  was  wounded  ;  and  had  not  the  Huz- 
zars  been  sent  over  the  Delaware  previous  to  the  at- 
tack, he  would  have  been  taken,  or  killed.  The  em- 
barkation took  place  without  any  interruption ;  and 
On  the  'M  of  March  the  Quec^n's  Rangers  returned  to 
♦heir  old  quarters,  and  former  duties.  Colonel  Stir- 
ling made  the  most  handsome  and  favorable  report  of 
the  behaviour  of  the  corps,  to  Sir  William  Ilowe. 

An  expedition  was  formed  under  the  command  of 
the  late  Colonel  Mawhood,  consisting  of  the  27 th  and 
4Gth  regiments,  the  Queen's  Rangers,  and  New  Jersey 
Volu?»*'^'M*s :  they  embarked  the  I2th  of  March,  and 
fell  J''        i'lc  Delaware.     On  the  17th,  the  Queen's 
Rangt     .  "  ed,  at  three  o'clock  in  the  morning,  about 
six  miles  from  Salom,  the  lluzzurs  carrying  their  ac- 
coutrements and  swords.     Major  Simcoe  was  direct- 
ed to  seize  horses,  to  mount  the  cavalry,  and  the 
staff,  and  to  join  Colonel  Mawhood  at  Salem  ;  this 
was  accordingly  executed.     Major  Simcoe,  making  a 
circuit  and  passing  over  Lambstone's  bridge,  arrived 
at  Salem,  near  which  Colonel  Mawhood  landed.  Tho 
Huzzars  were  tolerably  well  mounted,  and  sufficient 
horses  procured  for  the  other  exigencies  of  the  ser- 
vice :  Colonel  Mawhood  had  given  the  strictest  charge 
against  plundering  ;  and  Major  Simcoe,  in  taking  the 
horses,  had  assured  the  inhabitants  that  they  should 
be  returned,  or  j)aid  for,  if  they  did  not  appear  in 
arms,  in  a  very  few  days ;  and,  none  but  officers  en- 


enadiers 
imented. 
3  be  Pu- 
:he  Huz- 
)  the  at- 
The  em- 
lou ;  and 
urned  to 
)nel  Stir- 
report  of 
Howe, 
imand  of 
27tli  and 
nv  Jersey 
arch,  and 
D  Queen's 
njj,  about 

their  ac- 
as  direct- 
,  and  the 
leni ;  this 

making  a 
;e,  arrived 
ided.  The 

sufficient 
)f  the  ser- 
est  charge 

taking  the 
ley  should 

appear  in 

IHcers  en- 


OF  THE  queen's  RANGEUS. 


47 


tering  the  houses,  they  received  no  other  injury.  The 
Queen's  Rangers'  infantry  were  about  two  liundred 
and  seventy,  rank  and  file,  and  thirty  cavalry  ;  Colonel 
Mawhood  ^ave  directions  for  the  forage  to  take  place 
on  the  18th.  The  town  of  Salem  lies  upon  a  creek 
of  that  name  w  hich  falls  into  the  Delaware  nearly  op- 
posite Reedy  island ;  the  Aloes,  or  Alewas  creek, 
runs  almost  parallel  to  the  Salem  creek,  and  falls  into 
the  Delaware  to  the  southward  of  it ;  over  this  creek 
there  were  three  bridges  :  Hancock't;  was  the  lower 
one,  Quintin's  that  in  the  centre,  and  Thompson's  the 
upper  one  ;  between  these  creeks  the  foraging  was 
to  commence  ;  the  neck,  or  peninsula,  formed  by 
them  was  at  its  greatest  distance  seven,  and  at  its 
least  four  miles  wide.  The  rebel  militia  was  posted  at 
Hancock's  and  Quintin's,  the  nearest  bridges,  which 
they  had  taken  up,  and  defended  by  breast-works. 
Colonel  Mawhood  made  detachments  to  mask  these 
bridges ;  and  foraged  in  their  rear :  the  officer  who 
connnanded  the  detachment,  consisting  of  seventy  of 
the  17th  infantry,  at  Quintin's  bridge,  sent  information 
that  the  enemy  were  assembled  in  great  numbers  at 
the  bridge,  and  indicated  as  if  they  meant  to  pass 
over  whenever  he  should  quit  it,  in  which  case  his 
party  would  be  in  great  danger.  Colonel  Mawhood 
marched  with  the  Queen's  Rangers  to  his  assistance : 
he  made  a  circuit,  so  as  to  fall  in  upon  the  road  that 
led  from  Thompson's  to  Quintin's  bridge,  to  deceive 
any  patrole  which  he  might  meet  on  his  march,  and 
to  make  them  believe  that  he  directed  it  to  Tliomp- 
Bon's,  not  Quintin's  bridge.    Approaching  the  bridge, 


rt  -Si  M 

m 

I     '-'si 


•  •  ■■''J 


-  m 


■M 


'  'I 


■;.  -li'i 


r.  I 


'  ■* 


■  i 


i<      t 


48 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  OPERATIONS 


the  Rangers  halted  in  the  wood,  and  Colonel  Maw- 
hood  and  Major  Simcoe  went  to  the  party  of  the 
17th,  but  in  such  a  manner  as  to  give  no  suspicion 
that  they  were  part  of  a  reinforcement ;  the  ground 
was  high,  till  within  two  hundred  yards  of  the  bridge, 
where  it  became  marshy ;  immediately  beyond  the 
bridge,  the  banks  were  steep,  and  on  them  the  ene- 
my had  thrown  up  breast-works  ;  there  was  a  public 
house  very  near  the  road,  at  the  edge  of  its  declivity 
into  the  marsh,  on  the  Salem  side.  Colonel  Maw- 
hood  asked  Major  Simcoe,  "  whether  he  thought,  if 
"  he  left  a  party  in  the  house,  the  enemy  would  pass 
by  it  or  not  /"  who  replied,  "  that  he  thought  they 
"  would  be  too  cowardly  to  do  it ;  but  at  any  rate 
"  the  attempt  could  do  no  harm,  and,  if  he  pleased, 
"  he  would  try."  Colonel  Mawhood  directed  Major 
Simcoe  to  do  so,  who  accordingly  profiting  by  the 
broken  ground  of  the  orchard  which  was  behind  it, 
and  the  clothing  of  his  men,  brought  Captain  Ste- 
phenson and  his  company  into  the  house,  undiscover- 
ed :  the  front  windows  were  opened,  and  the  back 
ones  were  shut,  so  that  no  thorough  light  could  be 
seen  ;  the  women  of  the  house  were  put  in  the  cellar 
and  ordered  to  be  silent ;  the  door  was  left  open,  and 
Lieutenant  M'Kay  stood  behind  it,  with  a  bayonet, 
ready  to  seize  the  first  person  whose  curiosity  might 
prompt  him  to  enter ;  the  Queen's  Rangers  were 
brought  into  the  wood  near  to  that  part  where  it  end- 
ed in  clear  ground,  and  two  companies,  under  Cap- 
tain Saunders,  were  advanced  to  the  fences  at  the 
very  edge  of  it,  where  they  lay  flat    Colonel  Maw- 


iiig 
the 
the 
the 


mm 


i.',')'; 


Maw- 

of  the 
spicion 
ground 
bridge, 
)nd  the 
he  ene- 
1  pubhc 
lecUvity 
I  Maw- 
•ught,  if 
uld  pass 
rht  they 
my  rate 
pleased, 
id  Major 
g  by  the 
jehind  it, 
ain  Ste- 
iiscover- 
he  back 
could  be 
the  cellar 
open, and 
bayonet, 
iity  might 
ers  were 
re  itend- 
idcr  Cap- 
es at  the 
ncl  Maw- 


OF  THE  queen's  RANGERS. 


49 


hood  then  gave  orders  for  the  detachment  of  the  17th, 
who  were  posted  near  the  house,  to  call  in  their  sen- 
tinels and  retreat  up  the  road  in  full  view  of  the  en- 
emy. This  party  had  scarcely  moved,  when  the  en- 
emy laid  the  bridge  and  passed  it ;  a  detachment  of 
them  went  immediately  across  the  marsh  to  the 
heights  on  the  left,  but  the  principal  party,  about  two 
hundred,  in  two  divisions,  proceeded  up  the  road ; 
Captain  Stephenson,  as  they  approached  the  house, 
could  hear  them  say,  "  let  us  go  into  the  house,"  Aic, 
but  they  were  prevented,  both  by  words  and  by  ac- 
tion, by  the  officer  who  was  at  their  head  :  he  was 
on  horseback,  and  spurring  forward,  quitted  the  road 
to  go  into  the  field,  on  the  right,  through  a  vacancy 
made  by  the  rails  being  taken  for  fires  ;  his  party  still 
proceeded  up  the  road,  and  the  first  division  passed 
the  house  :  the  officer,  his  sight  still  fixed  on  the  red 
clothes  of  the  ITth,  approached  close  up  to  the  fence 
where  Captain  Saunders  lay  ;  he  did  not  immediately 
observe  the  Rangers,  and,  it  is  probable,  he  might 
not,  had  he  not  heard  one  of  the  men  stifling  a  laugh : 
looking  down  he  saw  them,  and  galloped  olf ;  he  was 
fired  at,  wounded,  and  taken.  The  division  that  had 
passed  the  house  attempted  to  return  :  Captain  Ste- 
phenson sallied,  drove  them  across  the  fields.  Captain 
Saunders  pursued  them  ;  the  lluzzars  were  let  loose 
and  afterwards  the  battalion,  Colonel  Mawhood  lead- 
ing llu>m;  Major  Simcoe  directed  the  17th  back  to 
the  house;,  with  the  grenadiers,  and  Highlanders  of 
the  Rangers,  ready  to  force  the  bridge,  if  ordered ; 
the  enemy,  for  a  moment,  quitted  it.  Colonel  Maw- 


ii:'t;,'''<;i 


v:.  y'A?| 


W: 


*^^  V!i- 


hT 


¥ 


50 


JOURNAL  OP  THE  OPERATIONS 


hood  thought  it  useless  to  pass  it.  Some  of  the  di- 
vision, who  passed  the  house,  were  taken  prisoners, 
but  the  greater  part  were  drowned  in  the  Aloes  creek. 
The  officer,  who  was  taken,  proved  to  be  a  French- 
man. The  Rangers  had  one  Huzzar  mortally  wound- 
ed ;  and  what  was  unfortunate,  he  was  wounded  by  a 
man,  whom  in  the  eagerness  of  the  pursuit  he  had 
passed,  given  quarters  to,  and  not  disarmed  :  the  v.' 
lain,  or  coward,  was  killed  by  another  Huzzar.  The 
corps  returned  to  Salem. 

The  rebels  still  occupying  the  posts  at  Quintin  and 
Hancock's  bridge,  and  probably  accumulating.  Colonel 
Mawhood  determined  to  attack  them  at  the  latter, 
where,  from  all  reports,  they  were  assembled  to  near 
four  hundred  men.  He  entrusted  the  enterprise  to 
Major  Simcoe,  and  went  with  him  and  a  patrole  op- 
posite to  the  place  :  the  Major  ascended  a  tree  and 
made  a  rough  sketch  of  the  buildings,  which,  by  con- 
versing with  the  guid3s,  he  improved  into  a  tolerable 
plan  of  the  place,  and  formed  his  mode  of  attack  ac- 
cordingly. He  embarked  on  the  20th,  at  night,  on 
board  the  flat  boats ;  he  was  to  be  landed  at  an  inlet, 
seven  miles  below  Aloes  creek,  when  the  boats  were 
immediately  to  be  returned,  and  by  a  private  road  he 
was  to  reach  Hancock's  bridge,  opposite  to  which, 
Major  Mitchell  was  detached  with  the  27th  regiment, 
to  co-operate  with  him.  Major  Simcoe  foresaw  the 
difficulties,  and  dangers,  but  he  kept  them  to  himself: 
every  thing  u.  oended  upon  surprise.  The  enemy 
were  nearly  double  his  numbers  ;  and  his  retreat,  by 
the  absolute  orders  to  send  back  the  boats,  was  cut  off; 


I 


f 


the  di- 
isoners, 
3  creek. 
French- 
wound- 
led  by  a 
;  he  had 

the  V.' 
r.    The 

ntin  and 
,  Colonel 
le  latter, 
I  to  near 
•prise  to 
trole  op- 
tree  and 
I,  by  con- 
tolerable 
ittack  ac- 
night,  on 
;  an  inlet, 
3ats  were 
e  road  he 
to  which, 
regiment, 
resaw  the 
0  himself: 
he  enemy 
•etreat,  by 
13  cut  off; 


I 


■•tJlv 


#1 .  ^-^        ...         ■:■■  ^■■-  ",.,,■■,..  **»«        ..    ;»''-■■-. 


.•,.<■■■••  -■" 


\»Wi!      ^;-'fy^!!^/«ibj:.i .;'',:,„,'inlii'" 


'''  r  "-•'''..■-"''•iiiP.-".  *,-;,■;: 

z^'K  ^~^'' '"'S^h  ■"' ",. ".- V 

^\..   ■■■"!.:'•■■■-'"•■■■■/'■•"■■•■  ';';■' 

?t;  ;    ,■."   .      ■.';,..     ,-.    »"^-;V»* :.■." 


,4, 


\  ':■■ ; 


i 


iM^':;; 


Affair  at  Quint  ins  Bridge. 

/d"  March  1778. 


'^mmm  m 


i\.'ri(fi  Heiie/.'i  ni  tJieir  IVorks 

B.  rtelaeh  m^e/it  oftlfc  /7'*nf  /^/?/////y B''%i'  '^^^^v; 

i)iaski/i{j  fhe  BriJtje 
C  77/^'  hig/ii  /n/'aii/ry  o/'thcRanyers 

<fm6r/f!cadfic(  in,  <i  //ouse. 
D  y[  de/ac/un^en^  cimr/uj/fi/ed  6y 

Ca/i^ Saunders  i?i  (im/)iisra</e  . 
K .  Hiir.ziirs  and  h/funtz-y  ofQi/eeii  's 

Banyprffin  ffie  ]\\>ud 
}^ .  Dfifavh/netU  oF  l/ie  17'f' /•elrealuiff 

in  I- ieh^'of  the  Kiieniy. 
(>.  Rebels  passing  the  Bridge . 
H.  SaUy  of  die  li^?a  JnfarUry  ^ 

jiurxtdt  oP  die  Rantfers 
V.I-'iighi  of  die  Enemy. 


^!^II0^'-- 


I    -.^  \,^ 


\Ui\l 


",;  •'.•f' '':.•'•  -'5-' £-;",.,£•"     '     '.^"^l^'-     J'X'   v"— 7"---  ■";,ri  ■"'    '     :■!* 


'■'■^' 


'm-^: 


'  t  ' '' 

.■■*■ 

'-■■■'^■A       .       ■ 

I  :'.'>-...'".D.-" '■■„:'■  ■••>-^v 


Scale  /uilfa  Mile 


^■'y  ^-i-  ,\n  ^p) 


■rof^^T^ 


t^i  'sa  /'; 


f<)' V  .*,/■;■■-•' 


if)  /^  ^.t,  ''.iJ      f ".  ■■*-".■  ,„■■•..,..  ■■•■•     :  " '; 

••D'f?-  ■^.^^.  'ss^'^     .'  ■■-'"■  •..,::,.  -ill'.  ~-.-..r5'"--.-... 


^■r:is-'--vvS«<^ 


"  P=  ■ 


-.'-■n-r.  I  :,'; 


.^1 

,t.ty-"-r.  ...  ,» ■••.: 

„  -■     '• .  ,,  ■' •.:-;V  I 
■;,-■  \i 


3fi 


W' 


V.  .;"i-  -"'01/    •*'../ 


'j:>!^ 


^^-•pi; 


-.T 


fill  ■  '  ■*■■ 
«■  '     "*■• 

|i    '  "■'. 

'■'■•;..■ 


111 


m 


OF  THE  queen's  RAXGERS. 


Al 


but  he  had  just  confidence  in  the  silence,  attention, 
and  spirit  of  the  corps.  By  some  strange  error  in 
the  naval  department,  when  the  boats  arrived  off 
Aloes  creek,  the  tide  set  so  strong  against  them  that, 
in  the  opinion  of  the  officer  of  the  navy,  they  could 
not  reach  the  place  of  their  destination  till  mid-day. 
Major  Simcoe  determined  not  to  return,  but  to  land 
on  the  marshes,  at  the  mouth  of  the  Aloes  creek ; 
there  were  good  guides  with  him :  they  found  out  a 
landing  place,  and  after  a  march  of  two  miles  through 
marshes,  up  to  the  knees  in  mud  and  water,  labours 
rendered  more  fatiguing  by  the  carriage  of  the  first 
wooden  planks  they  met  with,  to  form  bridges  with 
them  over  the  ditches,  they  at  length  arrived  at  a 
wood  upon  dry  land.  Here  the  corps  was  formed  for 
the  attack.  There  was  no  public  road  which  led  to 
Hancock's  bridge,  but  that  which  the  Rangers  were 
now  in  possession  of ;  a  bank,  on  which  there  was  a 
footway,  led  from  Hancock's  to  Quintin's  bridge. 
Hancock's  house  was  a  large  brick  house ;  there 
were  many  store-houses  round  it,  and  some  few  cot- 
tages. Captain  Saunders  was  detached  to  ambuscade 
the  dyke  that  led  to  Quintin's  bridge,  about  half  a 
mile  from  the  quarters,  and  to  take  up  a  small  bridge 
which  was  upon  it,  as  the  enemy  would,  probably,  fly 
that  way,  and  if  not  pursued  too  closely,  would  be 
more  easily  defeated.  Captain  Dunlop  was  detached 
to  the  rear  of  Hancock's  house  ;  in  which  it  was 
presumed  the  rebel  officers  quartered;  directed  to 
force  it,  occupy  and  barricade  it,  as  it  commanded 
the  passage   of  the  bridge.     Different  detachments 


m0 


ii 


'.  1'  I 


ri: 


\i 


'4 


§fi 


■•■i 


ti-'' 


in 
i  ■  1 


I  ! 


52 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  OPERATIONS 


were  allotted  to  the  houses  supposed  to  be  the  ene- 
my's quarters,  which  having  mastered,  they  were  or- 
dered to  assemble  at  Hancock's ;  a  party  Avas  appro- 
priated to  relay  the  bridge.  On  approaching  the 
place,  two  sentries  were  discovered  :  two  men  of  the 
light  infantry  followed  them,  and,  as  they  turned 
about,  bayoneted  them ;  the  companies  rushed  in, 
and  each,  with  proper  guides,  forced  the  quarters  al- 
lotted to  it.  No  resistance  being  made,  the  light  in- 
fantry, who  were  in  reserve,  reached  Hancock's  hou  e 
by  the  road,  and  forced  the  front  door,  at  the  same 
time  that  Captain  Dunlop,  by  a  more  difficult  way, 
entered  the  back  door ;  as  it  was  very  dark,  these 
companies  had  nearly  attacked  each  other.  The  sur- 
prise was  complete,  and  would  have  been  so,  had  the 
whole  of  the  enemy's  force  been  present,  but,  fortu- 
nately for  them,  they  had  quitted  it  the  evening  be- 
fore, leaving  a  detachment  of  twenty  or  thirty  men, 
all  of  whom  were  killed.  Some  very  unfortunate  cir- 
cumstances happened  here.  Among  the  killed  was  a 
friend  of  Government,  then  a  prisoner  with  the  reb- 
els, old  Hancock,  the  owner  of  the  house,  and  his 
brother :  Major  Simcoe  had  made  particular  enquiry, 
and  was  informed  that  he  did  not  live  at  home,  since 
the  rebels  had  occupied  the  bridge.  The  information 
was  partly  true ;  he  was  not  there  in  the  dav-time, 
but  unfortunately  returned  home  at  night :  o*  ^nts 
like  these  are  the  real  miseries  of  war.  The  roads 
which  led  to  the  country  were  immediately  ambus- 
caded ;  and  Lieutenant  Whitlock  was  detached  to 
surprise  a  patrole  of  seven  men  who  had  been  sent 


-■'•W; 


\VH  PRIZE 

I  of 

\TOCKS  HOUSE. 


'-■■'^    ■!■■ 


i     \  •' 


.<& 


o 


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-V    ■  .,    . 

■  ...,*■ 

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A 

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t:^ 


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iji 


, "  & 


or    tND    C  ^  TT 


lYtnof  /he  /'ost 
u/e  t//e  Dike 


/f. 


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■fe^v."  ■•  'i^  ■-.•!/■■•"■■*■•■; 


*■'  Am:.' 


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«:    -  ■.■-->'  .,  '. 


0  R  «  #1      B  '      I  ■  Lot         •  I  WC  01 


^■^--^-— -:^ 


v^V 


^»..  :\ 


SV H  PRIZE 

of 

M  %  tt  Jii  L  B 

^  ^^   >>/IAXCOCKS  HOUSE. 

■  ',r:,..      »...     \ 


.0.  ^; 


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0  ^ 


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%.    ^>^'     -,:    o..:\:;^#v:l^...„     ■■      .        •        ^N 


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ii.     A 


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M;,    SJ  .,.U^  ..<*)\  ■  C-  ■■■■-'■ 


o 


\ 

A 


N  -X       .■■"■.•■■■:>'.,  A.'/   ■■■•"     /.       ■■     ■     ■■V>,       ,,  ■     V,, 

V     "■*%^^         ^^-  r*-^        ■»■■•■,.     ■    ■-■-    -^    ■  ''■.'''■  'I'  ■^ 


«  ■-. 


■  t/ 


V,  I'lt/t/  /tun/)'/!  i/r/iir/trt/ /i>//ii'  tfttroffhe  /'os/ 

( i  / '  fW  .  Mir,  /i,  //  A  fJ,,-  L'  7  "'  /V  ,',j  ;• 


dowi 

their 

esca] 

cess 

mucl 

brido 

catec 

Quin 

them 

sion  ( 

tenar 

much 

toSa 

cades 

Rang 

rebel 

and  d 

ant-C 

had  r< 

but  fa 

thoug 

orderi 

"  and 

"  in  tl 

ter,  tl 

bridg( 

alarm 

fired 

donc( 

teen  ii 

a  pati 


OF  THE  QTTEEN'S  RANGERS. 


53 


down  the  creek:  this  he  effected  completely.  On 
their  refusal  to  surrender,  he  fired  on  them,  only  one 
escaped.  This  firing  gave  the  first  notice  of  the  suc- 
cess of  the  enterprise  to  the  27th  regiment ;  with  so 
much  silence  it  had  hitherto  been  conducted.  The 
bridge  was  now  laid  ;  and  Major  Simcoe  communi- 
cated to  Colonel  Mitchell,  that  the  enemy  were  at 
Quintin's  bridge  ;  that  he  had  good  guides  to  conduct 
them  thither  by  a  private  road,  and  that  the  posses- 
sion of  Hancock's  house  secured  a  retreat.  liieu- 
tenant-Colonel  Mitchell  said,  that  his  regiment  was 
much  fatigued  by  the  cold,  and  that  he  would  return 
to  S.alem  as  soon  as  the  troops  joined.  The  ambus- 
cades were  of  course  v  ithdrawn,  and  the  Queen's 
Rangers  were  forming  to  pass  the  bridge,  when  a 
rebel  patrole  passed  where  an  ambuscade  had  been, 
and  discovering  the  corps,  gallopped  back.  Lieuten- 
ant-Colonel Mitchell,  finding  his  men  in  high  spirits, 
had  returned,  purposing  to  )narch  to  Quintin's  bridge : 
but  being  informed  of  the  enemy's  patrole,  it  was 
thought  best  to  return.  Colonel  Mawhood,  in  j)ublic 
orders,  "  returned  his  best  thanks  to  Major  Simcoe 
"  and  his  corps,  for  their  spirited  and  good  conduct 
"  in  the  surprise  of  the  rebel  posts."  Two  days  af- 
ter, the  Queen's  Rangers  patrolled  to  Thompson's 
bridge  ;  the  enemy,  who  had  been  i)osted  there,  were 
alarmed  at  the  approach  of  a  cow  the  night  before, 
fired  at  it,  wounded  it,  and  then  fled  ;  they  also  aban- 
doned Quintin's  bridge,  and  retired  to  a  creek,  six- 
teen miles  from  Aloes  creek.  Major  Simcoe,  making 
a  patrole  with  the  lluzzars,  took  a  circuit  towards 


■■''"■•Vf 


/.■5'i 


■'•-..•■vi 
''-.-■i'-IM 


■•'-■  ''^•t?i 


M 


■  ■■! 


mi 


'■I: 


54 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  OPERATIONS 


l.*^" 


i.'^U 


rJ 


the  rear  of  one  of  the  parties  sent  out  to  protect  the 
foragers :  a  party  of  the  enemy  had  been  watching 
them  the  whole  day,  and  unluckily,  the  forage  being 
completed,  the  detachment  had  just  left  its  ground 
and  was  moving  off;  the  enemy  doing  the  like,  met 
the  patrolc ;  were  pursued,  and  escaped  by  the  pass- 
age which  the  foragers  had  just  left  open.  One  only 
was  taken,  being  pursued  into  a  bog,  which  the  Huz- 
zars  attempted  in  vain  to  cross,  and  were  much  mor- 
tified to  see  above  a  dozen  of  the  enemy,  who  had 
passed  round  it  in  safety,  within  a  few  yards :  they 
consisted  of  all  the  field  officers  and  committee-men 
of  the  district.  The  prisoner  was  their  adjutant. 
The  enemy,  who  were  assembled  at  Cohansey,  might 
easily  have  been  surprised ;  but  Colonel  Mawhood 
judged,  that  having  completed  his>  forage  with  such 
success,  his  business  was  to  return,  which  he  eflected. 
The  troops  embarked  without  any  accident,  and  sail- 
ed for  Philadelphia.  The  horses  were  given  back  to 
the  inhabitants,  or  paid  for.  On  the  passage,  the 
ships  waiting  for  the  tide.  Major  Simcoo  had  an  op- 
portunity of  landing  at  Billing's  port,  where  Major 
Vandyke's  corps  was  stationed,  and  examining  it,  they 
arrived  at  Philadelphia,  March  the  31st.  The  patroles 
of  the  Rangers  were  made  systematically  as  ever,  on 
their  return ;  but  as  spring  approached,  the  enemy's 
cavalry  came  nearer  to  the  lines,  and  owed  their  es- 
cape, more  than  once,  to  the  fleetness  of  their  horses  : 
one  or  two  of  them  who  were  taken  were  decorated 
with  eggs,  women's  shoes,  &c.  &c.  that  thoy  had  rob- 
bed the  market  people  of,  and,  in  that  dress,  were 


ther  \ 

sibiy 

rate,  t 

ry  to 

Kang( 

there 

iiig  e 

Was 

Engl 

niiloH 

Schu} 

himsc 


■M 


ict  the 
telling 
being 
Tround 
e,  met 
B  pass- 
le  only 
c  Huz- 
h  mor- 
ho  had 
s:  they 
:ee-men 
djutant. 
{,  might 
awhood 
ith  such 
eflccted. 
md  sail- 
back  to 
the 

an  op- 
c  Major 
g  it,  thoy 
patrolcs 

ever,  on 
I  enemy's 
their  es- 
r  horses : 
lecorated 

had  rob- 
3SS,  were 


age, 


OF  THE  queen's  RANGERS. 


55 


paraded  through  the  street  to  prison.     Several  loyal- 
ists were  in  arms,  under  the  command  of  Mr.  Tho- 
mas,   their   Captain ;    and,   with   Hovenden's,  and 
Ja'  les's  troops  of  Provincials,  made  excursions  into 
the  country  ;  and  at  Newton,  many  miles  from  Phil- 
adelphia, they  brought  off  a  large  quantity  of  cloth- 
ing ;  whenever  they  made  an  excursion,  the  Queen's 
Rangers  pushed  forward   to  bring  them  off.     One 
morning,  about  two  o'clock.  Major  Simcoe,  marching 
to  support  them  in  an  attempt  they  were  to  make  on 
Smithfield,  met  them  about  a  mile  from  Philadelphia ; 
they  said,  they  had  been  repulsed:  judging  i.  neces- 
sary to  support  the  advantages  derived  hom  the  dis- 
tance to  which  they  made  their  excursions,  he  made 
enquiries  into  the  matter,  and  found  their  accounts  so 
various,  that  he  determined  to  march  to  Smithfield, 
and  accordingly  took  such  of  them  with  him  as  were 
not  weary,  for  guides.     His  ideas  were,  that  the  par- 
ty at  Smithfield  would  probably  be  reinforced  by  ano- 
ther which  was  in  its  vicinity,  and  that  he  might  pos- 
sihly  surprise  them  rejoicing  at  their  success :  at  any 
rate,  the  recoil  would  add  to  the  ascendancy  necessa- 
ry to  be  maintain(>d  in  the  country.     The  Queen's 
Rangers  marched  to  Smithfield,  but  found  no  enemy 
there  ;  and,  it  appeared,  that  they  had  also  iled,  hav- 
ing exchanged  some  shots  with  the  Refugees.     Mr. 
Washington  drew  his  supplies  of  fat  cattle  from  New 
England  :  a  drove  of  this  kind  was  met  iihout  thirty 
miles  from  Philadelphia,  l)etween  the  Delaware  and 
Schuylkill,  by  a  friend  of  (iovernment,  who  passed 
himself  upon  the  drivers  for  a  rebel  connnissary,  then 


'    (■■:    I  -'HJ 


:hi« 


1  «■ 


■Mb^ 


56 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  OPERATIONS 


billetted  them  at  a  neighbouring  farm,  and  immediate- 
ly gallopped  to  Philadelphia,  from  whence  a  party  of 
dragoons  were  sent  for  the  cattle  :  the  Queen's  Rang- 
ers advanced  forward  to  Chesnut  hill,  and  the  brigade 
of  guards  were  posted  at  Germantown  ;  the  whole 
drove  was  safely  conducted  to  Philadelphia.  Major 
Simcoe,  as  was  his  custom,  with  the  Huzzars,  patrol- 
led in  front,  and  took  a  minute  survey  of  the  ground, 
at  Barren-hill  church,  which  was  near  proving  of  con- 
sequence in  the  event. 

A  very  great  desertion  happened  from  Washington's 
army  this  winter,  which,  had  it  not  been  difficult  to 
effect,  probably,  would  have  been  universal;  the 
Queen's  Rangers  were  benefited  by  it ;  Caj)tain  Arm- 
strong's company  of  grenadiers,  in  size,  youth,  and 
appearance,  was  inferior  to  no  one  in  the  army. 
There  were  many  reports,  that  Mr.  Lacy,  the  rebel 
General  of  the  Pennsylvania  militia,  was  collecting 
them,  professedly  to  impede  the  country  people's  in- 
tercourse with  the  markets.  Major  Simcoe,  besides 
employing  his  own  intelligence,  applied  to  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Balfour,  who  so  successfully  managed  these 
matters,  during  the  army's  being  at  Philadelphia,  for 
what  he  could  furnish  him  with  ;  and  represented  that 
it  would  be  of  the  utmost  consecjuence,  to  attack  Lacy 
the  moment  he  broke  into  tlie  circle  of  country,  which 
we  had  hitherto  maintained  [)ossession  of.  In  conse- 
quence of  this  conv(!rsation,  he  was  sent  for  by  Colo- 
nel Balfour,  some  time  after,  and  informed,  that  Lacy's 
corps  were  to  assemble  at  the  Crooked  Billett,  twenty- 
five  miles  from  Philadelphia,  on  the  first  of  May. 


I 

1  ( 


diate- 

rty  of 

Hang- 

I'igade 

whole 

Major 

jjatrol- 

round, 

)f  con- 

ngton's 
cult  to 
il;   the 
n  Arm- 
ith,  and 
!   army, 
le  rebel 
Electing 
[)le's  in- 
besides 
ateuant- 
ed  these 
)hia,  for 
itcd  that 
ck  Lacy 
which 
11  conse- 
3y  Colo- 
It  Lacy's 
,  twenty- 
of  May. 


OF  THE  queen's  RANGERS. 


57 


Major  Simcoe  was  anxious  that  they  should  be  at- 
tacked on  that  night ;  and  from  the  maps  of  the 
country  arranged  tiie  plan,  which  was  approved  of. 
Tiie  main  road  led,  past  the  Billett,  to  Philadelphia 
from  York ;  at  less  than  half  a  mile  from  it,  on  the 
Philadelphia  side,  there  was  another,  that  led  to 
Washington's  camp,  by  Horsham  meeting.  Major 
Simcoe  proposed,  that  he  should  march  with  the 
Rangers,  and,  by  a  circuit,  get  to  the  road  in  the  rear 
of  the  IJiilctt ;  and  that  a  detachment  should  march 
and  ambuscade  themselves  in  a  wood,  (the  intelli- 
gencer said  there  was  one  adapted  to  the  purpose,) 
on  the  road  which  led  by  the  Horsham  meeting-house 
to  W?  shington's  camp ;  this  party  was  to  remain  in 
ambuscade  till  they  heard  the  firing  of  the  Queen's 
Rangers.  It  was  supposed,  that  if  the  surprise  should 
not  be  complete,  the  ambuscade  would  render  the 
success  perfectly  so,  by  supporting  the  Rangers  if 
they  were  checked,  and  by  intercepting  the  enemy 
if  they  attempted  to  retreat,  which,  probably,  would 
be  towards  their  army.  Colonel  Balfour  proposed 
two  hundred  light  infantry  to  go  ;  to  this  Major  Sim- 
coe said,  "  that  they  would  be  commanded  by  older 
"  officers  in  the  line,  and  yet  of  inferior  local  rank  to 
"  himself,  and  that  it  was  his  wish,  on  that  account, 
"  to  avoid  giving  umbrage ;"  the  result  was,  Lieuten- 
ant-Colonel Abercrombie  was  chosen,  and  marched 
with  a  large  detachment  of  the  light  infantry,  and 
with  one  of  cavalry,  and  horses  to  mount  part  of  hia 
infantry-men,  for  greater  expedition.     Major  Simcoe's 

march  was  a  difficult  one :  he  thought  it  necessary 

4* 


■  '^i 


'■m-^ 


:"-,.t,,' 


.■•■i:r-,v' 

'f,\i/l 

.  n 

:-■'■■>■.- 

'i'Ji'i 

A?l 


^'*s. 


4 


-      ■,     _          1. 

'\    : 


ii\     ;! 


m  i   . '! 


58 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  OPERATIONS 


to  make  many  circuits  to  avoid  places  where  he  sus- 
pected the  enemy  had  posts,  or  patroies.  He  was 
admirably  guided ;  and,  luckily,  had  information, 
about  twilight,  that  prevented  him  from  committing 
a  serious  error:  the  armed  Refugees,  as  Captain 
Thomas,  their  commander,  informed  him,  were  sent 
by  Mr.  Galloway,  to  convey  in  some  of  his  furniture  ; 
they  adventured  out,  hearing  of  the  expedition  by 
some  means  or  other,  and  marched  up  the  roads 
which  the  Rangers  had  so  carefully  avoided,  but 
without  meeting  any  interruption,  or  alarm ;  luckily, 
they  passed  a  house,  which  Major  Simcoe  called  at, 
or  he  would,  certainly,  when  he  overtook  them,  have 
mistaken  them  for  rebels :  they  were  directed  to  keep 
themselves  undiscovered ;  and  the  Rangers  marched 
on  so  fast  as  possible.  Although  day  light  appeared. 
Major  Simcoe  was  under  no  apprehensions  of  disco- 
very, and  certain  of  Colonel  Abercrombie's  having 
met  with  no  accident,  as  the  parties  must  have  been 
within  the  hearing  of  each  other's  fire.  He  had  now 
arrived  at  the  point,  where  he  quitted  the  road,  in  or- 
der to  make  his  last  circuit  to  reach  the  Billett,  pro- 
fiting by  the  covert  that  the  irregularities  of  the  ground 
would  have  aflforded,  and  was  informing  the  officers 
of  his  plan  of  attack,  to  be  guided  by  circumstances, 
(Captain  Kerr's  division  excepted,  who  was  to  force 
Lacy's  quarters,  and  barricade  them  for  a  point  to 
rally  at,  in  case  of  misadventure,)  when  a  few  shot 
were  heard.  Major  Simcoe  immediately  exclaimed, 
"  the  dragoons  have  discovered  us  ;"  so  it  was.  Co- 
lonel Abercrombie,  although  assisted  by  horses,  could 


Lie 


5  >i 


OF  THE  QUEEN'S  RANGERS. 


59 


B  SUS- 

3  was 
lation, 
iiittiiig 
aptain 
e  sent 
liture  ; 
ion  by 
roads 
3(1,  but 
luckily, 
died  at, 
m,  have 
to  keep 
narched 
ipeared, 
if  disco- 
1  having 
ive  been 
had  now 
d,  in  or- 
lett,  pro- 
e  ground 
3  officers 
nstances, 
I  to  force 
point  to 
few  shot 
ixclaimed, 
vas.    Co- 
ses, could 


not  arrive  at  his  post  at  the  appointed  time,  before 
day-break ;   anxious  to  support  Major  Simcoe,  he 
detached   his  cavalry,  and  mounted  light  infantry, 
to  the  place  of  ambuscade.    The  officer  who  com- 
manded, patrolled  to  Lacy's  out-post,  and,  being  fired 
at  by  the  rebel  sentinels,  did  not  retire ;  Lacy,  of 
course,  did,  and  collecting  his  force,  began  a  retreat 
up  the  country  :  in  this  situation,  the  Rangers  arrived 
nearly  in  his  rear,  upon  his  right  flank  ;  they  stopped 
and  turned  some  smaller  parties  who  were  escaping 
from  the  light  infantry,  and  who  were  killed,  but  the 
main  body  retreated  in  a  mass,  without  order,  and  by 
no  efforts  could  the  infantry  reach  them:  unfortu- 
nately, the  Huzzars  of  the  Rangers  were  left  at  Phila- 
delphia, their  horses  having  been  fatigued  by  a  long 
course  of  duty,  and  a  severe  patrole  the  day  before  : 
thirty  dragoons,  who  were  with  the  Rangers,  were 
sent  to  intercept  the  baggage  waggons,  and  staid  to 
guard  them.    As  the  enemy  were  marching  through 
a  wood.  Major  Simcoe  gallopped  up  to  the  edge  of 
it,  and  summoned  them  to  surrender ;  they  were  in 
great  consternation,  but  marched  on  ;  he  then  gave 
the  words  of  conunand,  "  make  ready,"  "  present," 
"  fire,"  hoping  that  the  intervening  fence  and  thickets 
between  him  and  them  might  lead  them  to  suppose 
he  had  troops  with  him,  and  that  they  might  halt, 
when  a  few  moments  would  have  been  decisive :  at 
the  word  "  fire  "  they  crouched  down,  but  still  moved 
on,  and  soon  got  out  of  all  reach.    A  few  men  of  the 
Rangers  were  wounded,  as  was  the  horse  of  Wright, 
Major  Simcoe's  orderly  Huzzar ;  and  Captain  M'Gill's 


■■'■■-■■'■$ 

.  *'  >'■.'  .■* ' 

■■■'■  v'■>^ii■f1 

■  "    ■    ."  ■,.;'■ 
"  'I 


'  i 


vi,; 


fj-  Is- " : 


■IE 


n- 


IM 


\H 


,  !i 


■!  !l 


:.if-  !'; 


60 


JOURNAL  or  THE  OPERATIONS 


shoe-buckle  probably  saved  the  foot  of  that  valuable 
officer  :  the  enemy  had  fifty  or  sixty  killed,  and  taken. 
The  troops  returned  to  Philadelphia.  The  comman- 
der in  chief  ordered  the  baggage  to  be  sold,  for  their 
benefit ;  it  produced  a  dollar  a  man.  The  guides  of 
the  Queen's  Rangers  computed  their  march  at  fifty- 
eight  miles  ;  not  a  man  was  missing.  This  excursion, 
though  it  failed  in  the  greater  part,  had  its  full  effect, 
of  intimidating  the  militia,  as  they  never  afterwards 
appeared,  but  in  small  parties,  and  like  robbers. 

As  the  spring  approached,  the  hopes  of  the  army 
were  pointed  to  an  attack  on  Valley  Forge :  the  sur- 
mise gave  Major  Simcoe  particular  pleasure  ;  he  had 
formerly  been  quartered  in  the  house  that  was  Wash- 
ington's head  quarters,  and  had  made  himself  minutely 
master  of  the  ground  about  it,  and  particularly,  of 
those  undulations  which  are  so  material  in  all  attacks 
against  batteries,  and  from  all  the  plans  and  descrip- 
tions of  Valley  Forge,  it  appeared  to  him  probable, 
that  an  attack  would  commence  in  this  point.  These 
hopes  vanished,  when  the  new  s  of  Sir  William  Howe's 
recall  reached  Philadelphia,  together  with  the  orders 
for  the  army's  abandoning  that  city.  Mr.  Washing- 
ton's ignorance,  however,  exposed  him  to  a  check, 
from  Avhich  his  usual  good  fortune  extricated  him. 
He  passed  a  corps,  under  the  direction  of  the  Mar- 
quis de  La  Fayette,  over  the  Schuylkill;  arrange- 
ments were  made  to  cut  it  off ;  a  column  made  a 
circuit  for  that  purpose,  under  General  Grant,  the 
Queen's  Rangers  led  it,  and  Major  Simcoe  was  or- 
dered to  march  at  the  rate  of  two  miles  an  hour :  this 


;■ 
I 


1 1    :|hi 


:  '.1  w 


f 


OF  THE  queen's  RANGERS. 


61 


slow  and  tiresome  pace  was  too  quick  to  keep  the 
column  properly  compacted,  and  he  was  frequently 
obliged  to  halt;  nearly  at  day-light,  a  subaltern's 
party  of  dragoons  were  ordered  to  the  front.  Soon 
after  a  rebel  patrole  appeared,  and  while  the  young 
officer  was  deliberating  what  to  do,  got  off;  the  co- 
lumn moved  on,  and  arriving  at  three  cross  roads,  the 
advance  was  directed  to  halt,  there  being  some  doubt 
which  was  the  proper  road.  General  Grant  arrived, 
and  immediately  directed  him  to  march  on ;  the  co- 
lumn was  too  late,  the  alarmn  guns  were  fire*'  from 
Washington's  camp,  and  Fayette  had  moved  off  from 
Barren-hill  church,  and  passed  the  Schuylkill;  the 
cavalry  being  detached  in  a  fruitless  pursuit  of  him, 
the  Huzzars  went  with  them,  and  Lieutenant  Wick- 
ham  compared  a  party  of  the  rebels,  whom  he  saw 
fording  the  Schuylkill,  to  the  corks  of  a  fishing  seine. 
As  the  time  approached  for  the  army's  quitting 
Philadelphia,  patroles  were  passed  over  the  Delaware, 
from  the  Jersies ;  one  of  which,  after  a  long  chase, 
was  taken  by  the  Huzzars.  The  Quarter  Master 
General  being  in  great  want  of  horses.  Major  Simcoe 
escorted  the  conmiissaries  who  were  sent  to  procure 
them  :  he  entered  upon  the  office  with  great  regret, 
as  they  were  to  be  taken  from  people  whom  he  had 
uniformly  protected.  The  enemy  had  some  strong 
parties  in  the  country.  The  whole  corps  made  a  long 
march,  in  four  divisions,  as  has  been  before  explained ; 
he  had  also  a  three  pounder,  that  had  been  lately 
attached  to  his  corps.  On  his  return  he  was  ambus- 
caded, near  the  Bristol  side  of  Penny-pack  bridge : 


■   ■■.:''  '•.. 


A 


■'■Ma 


':m-^M 


'I:  ;■;■:'.. i-'B 


r: 

■'  ■    '■ ' 

1/  ■ . 

-■M 

■-<<■■  I 

■  ■■  \fl 

■,• 

'-"■■* 

■  ■■■'■■■■•*» 

'  '• 

62 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  OPERATIONS 


\  :<l 


the  first  division  passed  the  bridge  with  the  cannon, 
and  immediately  formed  on  the  opposite  banks,  as 
Major  Simcoe  was  apprehensive  of  some  attack ;  its 
position  secured  the  march  of  the  successive  divisions. 
It  was  afterwards  known,  that  the  enemy  were  in 
force,  but  were  deterred  from  attacking  by  the  posi- 
tion of  the  first  division,  and  the  order  of  march. 

Sir  Henry  Chnton,  when  he  took  the  command  of 
the  army,  directed  Lord  Rawdon  to  raise  a  corps  of 
Irish  volunteers ;  and  Captain  Doyle,  of  the  55th  regi- 
ment, was  appointed  Lieutenant-Colonel.  Major  Sim- 
coe waited  upon  the  commander  in  chief,  and  request- 
ed, that  as  he  was  Captain  Doyle's  senior  in  the  army, 
he  would  be  pleased  to  make  him  so  in  the  Provin- 
cial line,  adding,  that  if  his  Excellency,  at  any  future 
time,  should  appoint  a  senior  officer  of  the  line,  to  a 
Provincial  command.  Major  Simcoe,  of  course,  could 
have  no  objection  that  he  should  have  superior  rank 
in  the  Provincials.  Sir  Henry  Clinton  was  pleased  to 
refer  his  request  to  Sir  William  Erskine,  and  General 
Paterson,  the  Quarter-Master  and  Adjutant  General, 
who,  reporting  that  it  was  just.  Sir  Henry  Clinton  ap- 
pointed him  to  the  rank  of  Lieutenant-Colonel ;  and, 
to  avoid  similar  inconveniences,  antedated  his  com- 
mission to  all  Provincial  Lieutenant-Colonels.  The 
procuring  the  horses  was  the  last  service  that  the 
Queen's  Rangers  performed  in  Pennsylvania.  Embark- 
ing, and  passing  over  to  Cooper's  ferry,  on  the  17th 
of  June,  1778,  Lieutenant-Colonel  Simcoe  observed, 
in  pubhc  orders,  "  that  he  doubted  not  but  that  all 
"  ranks  of  the  regiment  were  sensible  that  the  un- 


it 


(( 


OP  THE  queen's  RAXGERS. 


63 


ih. 

nand  of 
orps  ot 
>th  regi- 
jor  Sim- 
request- 
le  army, 

Provin- 
iy  future 
line,  to  a 
se,  could 
fior  rank 
leased  to 
I  General 

General, 
linton  ap- 
nel;  and, 
his  corn- 
els.   The 

that  the 

Embark- 
1  the  17th 

observed, 
ut  that  all 
at  the  un- 


"  daunted  spirit  which  had  rendered  them  the  terror 
"  of  their  enemies,  was  not  more  honourable  to  them 
"  than  that  abhorrence  of  plunder  which  distinguishes 
"  the  truly  brave  from  the  cowardly  ruffian,  and  which 
"had  left  a  favourable  impression  of  the  Queen's 
"  Rangers  on  the  minds  of  such  of  the  inhabitants  of 
"  Pennsylvania  as  had  been  in  their  power ;  he  assured 
"himself,  that,  as  they  were  to  pass  over  to  the  Jersies, 
"  they  would,  in  every  respect,  behave  as  became  the 
"  character  the  corps  had  acquired,  and  which  marks 
"  the  disciplined  soldier.    He  gave  orders,  that  the 
"  Captains   and    officers,    commanding    companies, 
"  should  march  in  the  rear  of  their  respective  divisions, 
"  till  such  time  as  more  active  duties  required  their 
"  presence  elsewhere,  and  should  be  answerable  that 
"  no  soldier  quitted  his  rank  on  any  pretence,  but  par- 
^Hiciilarly  *■)  drink :  this  practice  having  been  the  death 
"  of  many  a  valuable  soldier,  the  permission  of  it  ^\as 
"  highly  criminal."    The  1 8th,  the  Queen's  Rangers, 
being  part  of  General  Leslie's  division,  marched  to 
Haddonfield  ;  on  the  19th  to  Evesham  ;  the  Yagers 
being  in  front,  there  was  a  slight  skirmish,  in  which 
the  rebel  party  lost  some  men,  and  one  of  them  being 
taken  proved  to  be  a  British  deserter,  who  was  exe- 
cuted the  next  day.    The  army  encamped  at  Mount 
Holly,  the  20th  and  21st ;  they  marched  to  the  Black 
Horse  the  22d  ;  the  Queen's  Rangers  formed  the  ad- 
vance.   By  an  error  of  the  guides,  at  a  cross  road, 
they  were  pursuing  the  wrong  one,  a  rebel  officer 
called  out  to  them,  "  You  are  wrong,  you  are  wrong," 
but  the  corps  passing  by  without  heeding  him,  and 


.•v'^  '•<V''  •^'i^'i 


IS.,'  ■;■•,:■,.■> 


■.i;:^'i' 


.■■v-M 


¥' 


64 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  OPERATIONS 


:),i 


'!!  ;!; 


afterwards  taking  the  nearer  way  ficross  the  fields  into 
the  right  road,  in  which  he  was,  the  advanced  men 
got  within  a  few  yards  of  him,  undiscovered ;  Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel Simcoe  prevented  them  from  firing, 
but  called  to  him  to  keep  at  a  greater  distance,  which 
he  did.  The  23d,  the  army  marched  to  Crosswicks, 
the  Queen's  Rangers  forming  the  advance  of  the  left 
column.  Hitherto  there  were  no  interruptions  on  this 
march  but  from  a  bridge,  the  boards  of  which  had 
been  taken  up,  but  laid  within  a  few  yards,  so  that  they 
were  easily  replaced.  Approaching  Crosswicks,  a  body 
of  the  enemy  appeared ;  Lieutenant-Colonel  Simcoe 
took  the  flanking  party,  under  Lieutenant  Wilson,  and 
tried  to  cut  them  ofl'  before  they  could  pasr  the  creek 
at  that  place.  He  was  too  late  for  this  purpose,  but 
in  time  to  prevent  them  from  executing  their  design 
of  cutting  down  the  trees  which  stood  close  to  the 
bridge,  and  throwing  them  across  it ;  the  enemy  had 
taken  up  the  planks,  and  were  posted  behind  a  wood, 
on  the  opposite  bank.  Csiptain  Stephenson's  company 
of  light  infantry.  Mere  directed,  by  the  coinmnndor  in 
chief  in  person,  to  the  same  post,  on  tlu*  left  that 
Lieutenant  Wilson  had  occuj)ic(l.  Fiirutenani-C'olonel 
Simcoe,  on  his  return,  formed  his  corps  brhind  the 
meeting-house,  ready  to  pass  the  bridge ;  the  dragoons 
arrived,  and  dismount<>d,  lining  the  fences  on  tlu,'  rigiit, 
and  Lieutenant  M'Leod,  of  the  artillery,  1  ringing  u[) 
his  three  pounders,  and  being  fully  exposed  to  the  en- 
emy, in  case  they  had  ki-pt  their  position,  it  was  de- 
termined to  pass  the  bri<lge  upon  its  rafters,  which 
was  atf(!cted  without  opposition.    The  enemy  had  tied 


nig 
wliic 
the 
arms, 

UJ)J)(' 

other 
had  a 
by  a( 
wh(;n 
the  bj 
Th 
water 


OF  THE  queen's  RANGERS. 


65 


is  into 
d  men 
Lieu- 
firing, 
,  which 
swicks, 
the  left 
,  on  this 
ich  had 
tiat  they 
5,  abody 
Simcoc 
son,  and 
he  creek 
)OSc,  but 
ir  design 
se  to  the 
leniy  had 
I  a  wood, 
company 
nandcr  in 
loft  that 
-C'olonol 
K^hind  the 
dragoons 
the  rigiit, 
■inging  up 
to  tlie  en- 
it  was  do- 
rs, which 
iiv  had  tied 


I 


from  the  wood,  and  a  party  on  the  right,  which  the 
Queen's  Rangers  made  every  effort  to  pursue,  escaped; 
nor  were  the  rest  of  the  advanced  troops  more  suc- 
cessful who  followed  the  body  which  retreated  on  the 
left.  Captain  Stephenson,  exerting  himself  with  his 
usual  gallantry,  became  an  object  to  a  person,  said  to 
be  a  quaker  ;  who  fired  at  him  with  a  long  fowling- 
piece,  and  dangerously  wounded  him ;  the  escape  of 
the  commander  in  chief,  distinguishable  by  his  dress 
and  activity  to  an  enemy  posted  in  security  and  in- 
tended to  fire  a  single  and  well  aimed  shot,  was  very 
remarkable.  The  Queen's  Rangers,  and  some  other 
troops,  remained  posted  beyond  the  creek  ;  the  army 
did  not  pass  the  bridge  :  there  were  events  here  worth 
recording.  Lieutenant-Colonel  Simcoe,  in  conversa- 
tion with  Captain  Armstrong,  happened  to  mention, 
that  he  was  fully  convinced  of  the  truth  of  what  an 
English  military  author  had  observed,  that  a  number 
of  tirelocks  were,  in  action,  rendered  useless,  by  be- 
ing carried  on  the  shoulders,  from  casual  nuisket-balls, 
which  coukl  not  be  the  caoe  were  the  arms  carried  in 
the  position  of  the  advar  e ;  he  addod,  that  advanced 
arms,  certainly,  gave  a  conjpactnoss,  and  took  olf  the 
app('iininc(5  of  wavering  front  a  column  more  than  any 
other  mode  of  carrying  them.  Captain  Armstrong 
had  assented,  and  took  occasion  to  e.\(>mplily  it  now, 
by  advancing  the  iirnis  of  his  grenadier  company 
when  under  lire,  and  while  he  led  over  the  raft(!rs  of 
the  bridge. 

The  shiices  had  been  shut,  by  nhich  means  the 
water  was  ponded ;  Lieutenant  Murray  plunged  in, 
5 


...■'-'  ■  i' 


'-1-J 


:•■■■.;•*,*;  I 


f^^^ 


■    t 


i 


1!   ■  n%' 


V  ■ 


Ji 


■^■:"i 


[ 


66 


JOURNAL  OF  TIIE  OPERATIONS 


thinking  it  fordable,  but  finding  it  not  so,  he  swam 
over,  and  got  behind  a  tree  before  the  corps  passed 
the  bridge,  ^nd  was  between  both  fires ;  luckily  he 
escaped  unhurt.  Hitherto  the  march  of  the  army 
pointed  equally  to  Trenton,  or  Cranberry ;  it  now, 
on  the  24th  of  June,  took  the  route  to  the  latter,  by 
marching  to  AUcntown :  the  Queen's  Rangers  formed 
the  advance  of  the  column.  The  bridge  at  Allen- 
town,  over  a  small  rivulet,  was  taken  up,  and  Colonel 
Simcoe  fired  two  or  three  cannon  shot,  which  drove  a 
small  party  of  the  enemy  from  thence,  and  he  passed 
over  without  the  exchange  of  a  musket,  one  of  which 
might,  unnecessarily,  deprive  him  o?  t  valuable  offi- 
cer, or  soldier.  Passing  forward,  a  rebel  patrole  from 
the  Cranberry  road,  came  close  to  the  front  of  the 
Rangers,  mistaking  them  for  their  own  people  ;  they 
retired  into  a  wood,  which,  as  soon  as  the  army  halt- 
ed, a  party  scoured,  but  to  no  purpose.  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Simcoe  had  a  book,  in  which  was  inserted 
the  names  of  every  soldier  in  his  corps,  the  counties 
in  which  they  were  born,  and  where  they  had  ever 
Uved,  so  that  he  seldom  was  at  a  loss  for  guides  in  his 
own  corps  ;  he  had  also  many  Refugees  with  him, 
who  served  as  guides.  The  commander  in  chief  ask- 
ed him,  whether  he  had  any  guides  \  he  answered,  he 
had  none  who  knew  any  of  the  roads  to  Brunswick  ; 
that  the  chief  of  his  guides  was  born  at  Monmouth. 
Sir  Henry  Clinton  directed  him  to  be  sent  to  head 
quarters,  as  he  might  be  useful  in  procuring  intelli- 
genc(s  though  not  serviceable  as  a  guide ;  this  was 
done,  and  as  soon  as  the  army  marched  he  came  for 


'':  .■I'm 


or  THE  queen's  rangers. 


67 


5  swam 
(  passed 
5kily  he 
e  army 
it  now, 
alter,  by 
s  formed 
it  Allen- 
l  Colonel 
h  drove  a 
\e  passed 
of  which 
lable  offi- 
Lrole  from 
mt  of  the 
pie;  they 
irmy  halt- 
icutcnant- 
is  inserted 
c  counties 
r  had  ever 
iiidcs  in  his 

with  him, 

chief  ask- 
iswercd,  he 
JrunHwick ; 
Monmouth. 

nt  to  head 
irinji  intelli- 
;  this  was 

10  came  for 


two  soldiers  of  the  regiment,  natives  of  Monmouth 
county:  this  was  the  first  idea  which  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Simcoe  had  of  the  army's  being  intended  to 
march  elsewhere  than  to  South  Amboy.    An  altera- 
tion in  the  disposition  of  the  army  took  place  ;  it 
marched  in  one  column :  the  Yagers  made  the  rear ; 
the  Queen's  Rangers,  light  infantry,  and  dragoons, 
followed  in  succession.    The  army  halted  at  the  Ris- 
ing Sun  ;  the  enemy's  light  troops  appeared  in  grcatcf 
force  in  the  rear.    On  the  arrival  at  the  camp,  Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel  Simcoe  immediately   passed  a  deep 
hollow  that  separated  it  from  a  high  hill,  with  the 
Huzzars,  in  order  to  observe  the  ground  in  front,  as 
was  his  constant  custom ;  two  men  came  out  of  the 
wood  to  Lieutenant  Wickham,  who  was  patrolling, 
deceived  by  his  green  clothes ;  he  gave  into  the  de- 
ception, passed  himself  upon  them  for  a  rebel  parti- 
san, and  introduced  Lieutenant-Colonel  Simcoe  to 
them  as  Colonel  Lee.    One  of  the  men  was  very  glad 
to  see  him,  and  told  him  that  he  had  a  son  in  his 
corps,  and  gave  him  the  best  account  of  the  move- 
ments of  the  rebel  army,  from  which,  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Simcoe  said,  he  had  been  detached  two  days ; 
the  other  proved  to  be  a  committee-man  of  New 
Jersey  ;   they  pointed   out  the  cncam|)inont  of  the 
British  army,  and  were  compktely  deceived,  till,  hav- 
ing toUl  all  til '\v  knew,  and  on  the  party  returning, 
the  connnittee-man  having  asked,  "  I  wonder  what 
"Clinton  is  about  T'     "  You  shall  ask  him  yourself," 
was  the  answer,  "  for  we  are  IJritish." 

The  army  marched  the  next  morning  toward  Mon- 


I"P 

' 

„», 


if 


68 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  OPERATIONS 


mouth,  in  the  sam  ;  order  ;  and  it  now  became  evi- 
dent, that  Sir  Henry  CHnton  intended  to  embark 
from  Sandy  Hook.  There  was  some  skirmishing  be- 
tween the  Yagers  and  the  enemy ;  and  one  time,  it 
having  the  appearance  of  being  serious,  the  Rangers 
were  divided  into  two  divisions,  to  march  on  each 
flank  of  the  Yagers,  who,  having  no  bayonets,  might 
have  suffered  from  an  intrepid  enemy  ;  but  the  con- 
trary was  tlie  case,  as  the  alarm  originated  from  a 
shout  that  Captain  Ewald,  who  commanded  the  rear 
guard,  set  up  on  the  enemy's  approacli,  wliich  with 
other  preparations,  sent  them  away  upon  the  full  run. 
Upon  the  arrival  at  Monmouth,  the  Queen's  Rangers 
covered  head  quarters  ;  the  army  halted  the  next 
day,  and  foraged. 

On  the  morning  of  the  27th,  the  Queen's  Rangers 
marched,  at  two  o'clock,  and  occupied  the  post  from 
which  the  second  battalion  of  light  infantry  were 
drawn,  to  march  with  the  second  division,  under  Ge- 
neral Kniphausen  :  a  great  extent  of  groinid  was  to 
be  guarded,  and  the  whole  corps  lay  upon  their  arms. 
In  the  morning,  about  seven  o'cioi  k,  orders  were 
brought  to  Lieii>'^ri::'it-Colonel  Sunccie,  "  to  take  his 
"  Hu/zars  und  try  to  cut  off  a  n  cooiioitrijig  party 
"of  the  •  .;einy,  (HUj)pos(Hl  to  be  M.  Fajptt<%)  who 
"  was  upon  a  bald  hill,  and  not  far  from  his  left."  As 
the  woods  were  thick  in  front,  Lieutenant-Colonel 
Simcoe  had  no  knowledge^  of  the  ground,  no  guide, 
no  other  direction,  and  but  tW'-M\ty  Huzzars  with  hbn  ; 
he  asked  of  Fiord  Cathcart,  who  brought  him  the  or- 
der, whether  ho  might  not  take  some  infantry  with 


i 


(    ■'■■'.;''"-<1 


OF  THE  queen's  RANGERS. 


69 


ne  evi- 

embark 

ling  be- 

tiine,  it 

Hangers 

on  each 

s,  might 

the  con- 
from  a 

the  rear 

ich  with 

3  full  run. 
Rangers 
the  next 

(  Rangers 
post  from 
|itry  were 
nidcr  Ge- 
d  was  to 
leir  !irnis. 
CVS  were 
o  tai<e  his 
ing  party 
\U\)  who 
left."    As 
[it-Colonel 
no  guide, 
with  •>i'n ; 
iin  the  or- 
imtry  with 


him,  who,  from  the  nature  of  the  place,  could  advance 
nearly  as  expeditiously  as  his  cavalry  ?  to  this  his 
Lordship  assenting,  Lieutenant-Colonel  Simcoe  im- 
mediately marched  with  his  cavalry,  and  the  grena- 
dier company,  consisting  of  forty  rank  and  file.  He 
had  not  proceeded  far,  before  he  fell  in  with  two  rebel 
Videttes,  who,  gallopping  off,  the  cavalry  were  order- 
ed to  pursue  them,  as  their  best  guides  ;  they  fled  on 
the  road  down  a  small  hill,  at  the  bottom  of  which 
was  a  rivulet ;  on  the  opposite  rising,  the  ground  was 
open,  with  a  high  fence,  the  left  of  which  reached  the 
road,  and  along  which,  a  considerable  way  to  the 
right,  a  large  corps  was  posted.  This  corps  immedi- 
ately fired,  obliquely,  upon  the  Huzzars,  who,  in  their 
pursuit  of  the  Videttes,  went  up  the  road,  eind  gained 
their  left,  when  Ellison,  a  very  spirited  lluzzar,  leapt 
the  fence,  and  others  followed.  I^ieutonant-Colonel 
Simcoe,  in  the  mean  time,  brought  up  the  grenadiers, 
and  ordered  the  Huzzars  to  retreat ;  the  enemy  gave 
one  universal  fire,  and,  panic  struck,  fled.  The  Baron 
Stuben,  who  was  with  them,  lost  his  hat  in  the  confu- 
sion. Lieutenant-Colonel  Simcoe  rode  along  the 
fence,  on  the  side  opposite  to  which  the  enemy  had 
I  been,  posting  the  grenadiers  there  ;  the  enemy  fired 
several  scattering  shots,  one  of  which  wounded  him 
in  the  arm  :  for  some  seconds,  he  thought  it  broken, 
and  was  unable  to  guide  his  horse,  which,  being  also 
struck,  run  away  with  him,  luckily,  to  the  rear;  his 
arm  soon  recovering  its  tone,  he  got  to  the  place 
where  I  e  had  formed  the  Huzzars,  and  witn  fourteen 
of  them,  returned  towards  a  house,  to  which  the  right 


■   t'  J'' 

•  ■% 

^ 

:i 

'■  -r' 

•^!4- 

M 


5* 


11 

i 


70 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  OPERATIONS 


of  the  enemy's  line  had  reached.  Upon  his  left  flank 
he  saw  two  small  parties  of  the  enemy  ;  he  gallopped 
towards  them,  and  they  fled :  in  this  confusion,  seeing 
two  men,  who,  probably,  had  been  the  advance  of 
these  parties,  rather  behind  the  others,  he  sent  Ser- 
jeant Prior,  and  a  Huzzar,  to  take  them,  but  with 
strict  orders  not  to  pursue  too  close  to  the  wood. 
This  the  serjeant  executed;  and,  after  firing  their 
loaded  muskets  at  the  large  body  which  had  been  dis- 
lodged and  was  now  rallying,  the  prisoners  were  oblig- 
ed to  break  them,  and  to  walk  between  the  Huzzars 
and  the  encmv.  The  business  was  now  to  retreat, 
and  to  carry  off  whom.soevcr  might  be  wounded  in 
the  first  attack.  The  enemy  opposite  seemed  to  in- 
crease, and  a  party,  evidently  headed  by  some  general 
ofticor,  and  his  suit,  advancing,  to  reconnoitre:  it 
suggested  to  Lioutonant-Colonel  Simcoe,  to  endeav- 
our to  pass,  ns  on  a  similar  design  ;  and,  for  this  pur- 
pose, he  dispatched  a  lluzzar  to  the  wood  in  his  rear, 
to  take  oft"  his  cap,  and  make  signals,  as  if  he  was  re- 
ceiving directions  from  some  persons  posted  in  it. 
The  pni'ty  k(>pl  moving,  slowly,  clos(i  to  (he  fence, 
and  towards  tlio  road  ;  when  it  got  to  some;  distance 
from  the  house,  which  lias  been  niontioncd,  Lieuten- 
ant-Colonel Simcoe  called  out  audibly,  as  if  to  a 
party  posted  in  it,  "  not  to  fire  till  tlu;  lujiin  body  came 
"close,''  and  moved  on  slowly  parallel  to  tiie  enemy, 
when  he  sen  liyan,  an  llu/zar,  forwjird,  to  see  if 
there  were  iiiiy  wounded  men,  and  whether  the  gre- 
nadiers remained  where  ho  lia«l  |)oste(l  them,  adding, 
"  for  We  nmst  carry  them  olf  or  lie  with  then' ;"  to 


sertej 

had 

tion 

ed. 

Gene 

th(!  c 

trooj 
tachii 
"  the 
"  and 
ton's 


(( 


nig 
con 


ft  flank 
jlopped 
I,  seeing 
ranee  of 
;nt  Ser- 
ut  with 
B  wood, 
ng  their 
jeen  dis- 
re  obUg- 
Huzzars 
)  retreat, 
tunded  in 
ed  to  in- 
e  general 
loitre:  it 
a  endeav- 
this  pur- 
1  his  rear, 
ic  was  re- 
tod  in  it. 
ho  I'once, 

distiuicc 
u  l.iouton- 
is  if  to  a 
)()(ly  oani'^ 
ho  onomy, 

to   Hce  il 

r  tho  ^rv.- 

>ni,  iuUling, 

thons"  to 


OF  THE  queen's  RANGERS. 


71 


which  the  Huzzar  rephed,  "  to  be  sure,  your  honour.'^ 
On  his  return,  and  reporting  there  was  nobody  there, 
Lieutenant-Colonel  Simcoe  struck  obliquely  from  the 
fence,  secured  by  a  falling  of  the  ground  from  '^anger, 
over  the  brook  to  the  wood,  where  he  found  Captain 
Armstrong  had,  with  great  judgment,  withdrawn  his 
grenadiers ;  from  thence  he  returned  to  camp,  and 
sending  his  prisoners  to  the  General,  went  himself  to 
the  baggage,  his  wound  giving  him  excruciating  pain, 
the  day  being  like  to  prove  very  hot,  and  there  not 
appearing  the  least  probability  of  any  action.  Two 
Huzzars,  and  three  of  the  infantry,  were  wounded  in 
this  skirmish  ;  one  of  the  Huzzars  died  at  Monmouth 
after  the  action ;  the  other,  who  was  able  to  have 
marched,  was  left  by  the  Hospital,  and  fell  into  the 
hands  of  the  enemy.  It  is  obvious  that,  of  all  de- 
scriptions of  people,  the  Rangers  were  the  last  who 
should  have  been  left  as  prisoners,  since  so  many  dv^- 
serters  from  the  enemy  were  in  the  corps :  the  soldiers 
had  the  utmost  reliance  upon  their  own  ofliccr's  atten- 
tion to  this  particular.  The  enemy  who  were  defeat- 
ed, consisted  of  tiiat  corps  of  Jersey  militia  which  in 
General  Lee's  trial,  is  said  "  to  have  given  way,"  by 
the  evidence  ot  the  hold  officer  who  brought  up  fresh 
troops  and  camion  to  supj)ort  it ;  thoy  were  those  de- 
tachments, Avhich  Sir  Henry  Chiuou's  letter  says, 
"  llie  Queen's  Rangers  fell  in  with  itniong  the  woods, 
"  and  dispersed,"  and  who,  |)robahly,  as  Washing- 
ton's account  says,  "  wore  tho  Jersey  militia,  amount- 
"  ing  to  about  seven  or  (light  hundred  men,  under  the 
"  command  of  General    Dickenson."      Thoy  were 


■■■■•■'■"  \l 

- 1"^'      '*    1 "  '■  "Vl 

"Mm 


:iy:  ff^.  ■•''MM 
.."•■,".>;''•■■.■,'■'■ 

■■■(r'\-i-;\yi'\ 
% 


It  '.    »■ 


I' :■;'■■• 


1  -'4 

:,         j! 


72 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  OPERATIONS 


,  V!i; 


destined  to  attack  the  baggage,  but  made  no  other 
attempt  that  day. 

The  American  war  shows  no  instance  of  a  larger 
body  of  men  discomfitted  by  so  small  a  number.  The 
army  saw  not  the  combat ;  but  every  officer,  every 
soldier,  heard  the  heavy  fire,  and  from  that  could 
form  a  judgment  of  the  enemy's  number.  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Simcoe  afterwards  heard  a  person  who  was 
of  this  body  call  the  grenadier's  company,  to  use  his 
own  expression,  "  a  power  of  Hessians."  Captain 
Ross  took  the  command  of  the  corps.  He  was  de- 
tached, with  the  light  infantry,  under  Colonel  Aber- 
crombie,  to  turn  the  enemy's  left ;  went  through  the 
whole  fatigue  of  that  hot  day,  and  though  the  corps 
had  been  under  arms  all  the  preceding  night,  it  here 
gave  a  striking  and  singular  proof  of  the  vast  advan- 
tages of  the  Philadelphia  marches,  by  not  having  a 
man  missing,  or  any  who  fell  out  of  the  ranks  through 
fatigue.  Captain  Ross  had  an  opportunity  of  more 
than  once  showing  great  military  judgment  and  intre- 
pidity, in  checking  different  parties  of  the  enemy  ; 
and  the  Highland  company  in  particular,  distinguished 
itself,  under  the  command  of  Captain  M'Kay,  in  co- 
vering a  three  pounder  of  the  light  infantry  battalion, 
which  was  impeded  by  a  swamp.  At  night,  when  the 
army  marched  off.  Captain  Ross,  with  that  silence 
which  was  remarked  in  Washington's  account  of  the 
action,  formed  the  rear  guard.  During  the  day,  the 
baggage  was  not  seriously  attacked  ;  but  some  very 
small  parties  ran  across  it,  from  one  side  of  the  road 
to  the  other :  one  of  these  Captain  Nccdham,  and 


OF  THE  queen's  RANGERS. 


73 


10  other 

a,  larger 
r.    The 
r,  every 
it  could 
lutenant- 
who  was 
0  use  his 
Captain 
was  de- 
lel  Aber- 
•ough  the 
the  corps 
it,  it  here 
ist  advan- 
having  a 
8  through 
of  more 
and  intre- 
e  enemy ; 
tinguished 
Lay,  in  co- 
battalion, 
t,  when  the 
lat  silence 
)unt  of  the 
le  day,  the 
some  very 
of  the  road 
idhani,  and 


Lieutenant  Cooke  of  the  17th  dragoons,  (since  Cap- 
tain of  the  Queen's  Rangers,)  dispersed  ;  the  rumors 
of  them,  however,  added  personal  solicitude  to  Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel Simcoe's  public  anxiety,  and,  for  se- 
curity, he  got  together  the  pioneers  of  his  own  and 
some  other  corps  around  his  waggon.  The  uncer- 
tainty of  what  fate  might  attend  his  corps,  and  the 
army,  gave  him  more  uneasiness  than  he  ever  expe- 
rienced ;  and,  when  the  baggage  halted,  he  passed  an 
anxious  night,  till  about  the  middle  of  it,  when  he  had 
authentic  information  of  the  events.  The  army  en- 
camped at  Middleton,  the  29th  and  30th.  On  the  1st 
of  July,  Lieutenant-Colonel  Simcoe  resumed  his  com- 
mand, and  marched,  to  escort  Sir  William  Erskine  to 
Sandy  Hook.  The  army  remained  in  this  vicinity 
till  the  5th,  when  it  marched  to  Sandy  Hook  also : 
this  peninsula  had  been  made  an  island  by  the  storms 
of  the  preceding  winter ;  a  bridge  of  boats  was  thrown 
across  the  channel,  over  which  the  army  passed,  the 
Queen's  Rangers  excepted,  who,  forming  the  rear 
guard,  embarked  in  boats  from  the  Jersey  side,  as 
soon  as  the  bridge  was  broken  up.  It  is  remarkable, 
and  what  few  other  corps  in  the  army  could  say,  that 
in  this  march  the  Queen's  Rangers  lost  no  men,  by 
desertion.  They  landed  at  New  York,  marched  up 
to  Morris's  house,  and  encamped  there. 

Soon  after,  the  troops  returned  from  Philadelphia, 
it  appearing  probable  to  Lieutenant-Colonel  Simcoe, 
that  America  would  be  quitted  by  the  British  forces, 
and  the  war  carried  on  in  the  West  Indies  ;  he  ap- 
plied to  Colonel  Drummond,  (then  aid-du-camp,)  to 


-l.^ 

■  ■•y;,! 

'         ''/■' 

Ml.,1 

.     ^    ■     fc 

1    ■  ■  '"■'''  ^ 

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T''''-]..  "  . 

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y-'*^.\ 

K-l'^: 

-     M'f    ,'  K      ' 

'  ^4  V",- 

';«:>*;■'■,  ■ 

> '  !  ••« , 

■V.-:  •'  ; 

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1 


ii!!'  • 


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74 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  OPERATIONS 


make  the  request  from  him  to  Sir  Henry  Chnton,  that 
he  might  be  permitted,  with  his  corps,  and  other  loy- 
aUsts,  to  join  the  Indians  and  troops  under  Colonel 
Butler,  who  had  just  been  heard  of  on  the  upper  parts 
of  the  Delaware.  The  Commander  in  Chief's  answer 
to  him  was,  "  that  he  much  applauded  his  spirit,  but 
"that  he  would  find  sufficient  employment  for  him 
"  with  his  army."  He  had  digested  the  detail  of  his 
route ;  his  mode  of  subsistence,  and  operations :  the 
idea  he  entertained,  of  what  such  a  junction  might 
have  led  to,  was,  and  is  still,  unbounded.  T  '  enant- 
Colonel  Simcoe  was  ill  in  New  York,  an^i  did  not 
join  till  the  14th,  during  this  period,  nothing  material 
happened.  On  the  15th,  the  Queen's  Rangers,  and 
Emmerick's  corps,  encamped  outside  Kingsbridge  ; 
the  three  Provincial  troops  of  Hovenden,  James,  and 
Sandford,  also  joined  the  Queen's  Rangers  :  an  Amu- 
zette,  and  three  artillery  men,  were  now  added  to  the 
three  pounder  attached  to  the  regiment.  The  post 
was  of  great  extent,  liable  to  insult,  and  required  many 
sentinels :  it  was  strengthened  as  much  as  possible  ; 
and,  in  all  matters  of  labor,  the  soldiers  worked  with 
the  greatest  energy,  under  the  inspection  of  their  offi- 
cers, and  were  easily  made  to  comprehend,  not  only 
the  general  security,  but  the  benefit  which  they,  indi- 
vidually, received  from  their  works,  by  its  operating 
to  lessen  their  duties;  of  course,  they  were  taught 
that  the  work  should  not  be  slighted.  Mr.  Washing- 
ton's army  encamping  at  the  White  Plains,  the  Ya- 
gers, and  Queen's  Rangers,  had  full  employment. 
Lieutenant-Colonel  Simcoe  was  ever  averse  to  pa- 


OF  THE  queen's  RANGERS. 


7;.; 


on,  that 

ler  loy- 

Colonel 

,er  parts 

i  answer 

jirit,  but 
for  him 

III  of  his 

ons:  the 

)n  might 
'enant- 

,  did  not 

T  material 

igers,  and 

gsbridge ; 

ames,  and 
an  Amu- 

ded  to  the 

The  post 

ired  many 

possible } 

orked  with 

f  their  offi- 
1,  not  only 
they,  indi- 
3  operating 
ere  taught 
.  Washing- 
ns,  the  Ya- 
inployment. 
erse  to  pa- 


i 


troles,  except,  as  in  the  case  at  Philadelphia,  v  here 
they  served  to  cover  a  well  affected  country,  and 
were  made  systematically,  and  in  force ;  or  to  ascer- 
tain some  precise  object ;  circumstanced  as  the  armies 
now  were,  they  appeared  to  him  to  be  particularly 
dangerous,  and  totally  useless.    The  inclinations  of 
the  Americans,  though  averse  from  tactical  arrange- 
ment, had  always  been  turned  to  patrolling,  in  their 
antiquated  dialect,  sconting :  the  Indians,  their  origi- 
nal enemies,  and  the  nature  of  their  country,  had 
familiarized  them  to  this  species  of  warfare,  and  they 
were,  in  general,   excellent  marksmen.    There  was 
nothing,  either  in  the  American  generals  or  their 
troops,  that  could  warrant  a  belief,  that  they  would 
make  a  serious  attempt  upon  Kingsbridge  ;  added  to 
the  strong  works  within  the  island,  the  eminences  in 
front  of  it  were  covered  with  a  chain  of  redoubts 
within  a  distance  from  each  other,  barely  more  than 
necessary  to  secure  the  flanks  of  a  battalion  ;  and  in- 
deed, for  the  purpose  of  protecting  a  weak  a  lay, 
they  had  been  originally  constructed  ;  half  a  mile  in 
front  of  these  redoubts,  lay  the  light  troops,  to  secure 
them  from  surprise,  so  that  it  was  manifest  any  gen- 
eral move  of  Mr.  Washington's  army  could  not  take 
place  for  so  small  an  object,  as  that  of  beating  up  the 
huts  of  a  light  corps.    Washington's  advance  corps 
lay  on  the  heights,  near  Tuckahoe,  under  the  com- 
mand of  General  Scott,  to  the  amount  of  two  thou- 
sand men,  whose  light  troops  occupied  a  line  from 
Phillip's  creek,  on  the  north,  to  New  Rochelle,  on  the 
East  river.    Small  patroles  frequently  came  to  Wil- 


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76 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  OPERATIONS 


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;     i 


liam's  bridge,  on  the  Brunx,  and  sometimes,  General 
Scott  came,  in  force,  to  Valentine's  hill.  The  coun- 
try between  was  irregular,  intersected  with  woods, 
and  so  broken  and  covered  with  stone  walls,  as  to  be 
most  liable  to  ambuscades :  the  inhabitants  were,  by 
no  means,  to  be  trusted,  and,  in  general,  so  harrassed 
by  their  country  being  the  seat  of  war,  that  it  was 
not  reasonable  to  place  any  confidence  in  them ;  on 
the  other  hand,  the  Queen's  Rangers  had  many  of  the 
natives  of  the  country  among  them,  and  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Emmerick's  corps  was,  in  a  great  measure, 
composed  of  them.  Lieutenant-Colonel  Simcoe  made 
a  few  patroles,  in  force,  merely  to  inform  himself  of 
the  situation  of  the  country;  but  he  spared  no  pains 
to  acquire  an  account  of  what  posts  the  enemy  occu- 
pied, at  night;  his  determination  being  to  attack 
them,  whenever  he  saw  a  fit  opportunity.  Generals 
Clinton  and  Morgan,  with  a  corps  of  fifteen  hundred 
men,  covered  the  forage  of  the  country,  on  the  side  of 
the  enemy.  Colonel  Wurmb,  and  Lieutenant-Colonel 
Simcoo,  upon  intelligence,  had  agreed  to  meet  on 
Valentine's  hill,  one  morning,  in  force,  and,  accord- 
ingly, Lieutenant-Colonel  Simcoe,  with  his  Huzzars, 
was  upon  the  hill,  waiting  for  him ;  the  infantry,  and 
Provincial  cavalry,  were  left  in  the  plain,  under  the 
command  of  Captain  Ross;  tlic  light  infantry  and 
Highland  companies  being  ambuscaded  in  an  orchard, 
at  the  place  where  the  roads  fork  to  Hunt's  bridge, 
and  Valentine's  hill.  Colonel  Wurmb,  finding  the 
enemy  in  force  at  Phillip's,  did  not  choose  to  move 
to  Valentine's  hill,  and  sent  the  Yager  cavalry  to 


and  II 
hill, 
cade,  I 
net  Sil 
fired 
hiddei 


General 
le  coun- 
woods, 
as  to  be 
were,  by 
larrassed 
it  it  was 
hem;  on 
ny  of  the 
eutenant- 
measure, 
icoe  made 
himself  of 
I  no  pains 
jmy  occu- 
to  attack 
Generals 
n  hundred 
the  side  of 
nt-Colonel 
)  meet  on 
id,  accord- 
3  Huzzars, 
fantry,  and 
,  under  the 
ifantry  and 
an  orchard, 
nCs  bridge, 
finding  the 
,sc  to  move 
cavalry  to 


\ 


OP  THE  queen's  rangers. 


77 


give  the  Rangers  the  necessary  information.    At  the 
same  time  the  enemy  appeared  advancing  to  Valen- 
tine's hill.    As  Lieutenant-Colonel  Simcoe  was  quit- 
ting it,  to  return  to  his  corps,  Lieutenant  M'Nab,  of 
the  Huzzars,  who  had  been  sent  withapatrole  beyond 
the  Brunx,  confirmed  the  intelligence  which  he  had 
been  furnished  with  the  night  before,  that  a  strong 
body,  with  cannon,  was  approaching  to  Hunt's  bridge, 
on  the  opposite  side  of  the  Brunx :  this  bridge  was 
commanded  by  the  heights  on  the  side  of  Kingsbridge, 
which  had  been  fortified  by  the  rebels  in  1776 ;  their 
works  were  not  demolished.    In   their  rear  was  a 
wood ;  it  had  been  designed  to  conceal  the  Rangers ; 
and,  while  the  Yagers  and  cavalry  should  have  enga- 
ged with  any  corps  who  might  patrole  to  Valentine's 
hill,  it  was  thought  probable,  that  the  enemy  on  the 
opposite  side  of  the  Brunx  would  pass  it  to  their 
assistance,  when  the  corps  in  ambuscade  was  to  rush 
from  the  wood,  and,  occupying  the  fleches,  do  severe 
and  cool  execution  upon  them,  as  they  were  on  the 
bridge,  and  occupied  in  the  deep  hollow.     An  advanc- 
ed party  of  the  enemy,  notwithstanding  the  circum- 
stances which  made  the  troops  quit  Valentine's  hill, 
had  already  passed  the  Brunx;  the  Yager  cavalry 
were  ordered  to  proceed  towards  Kingsbridge,  slowly, 
and  in  full  sight  of  the  enemy,  who  were  on  Hunt's 
hill.    There  were  still  hopes,  by  forming  the  ambus- 
cade, to  do  some  service ;  when,  to  Lieutenant-Colo- 
nel Simcoe's  great  surprise,  the  enemy's  cannon  were 
fired  at  the  infantry,  whom  he  expected  to  have  been 
hidden  from  their  sight,  by  the  intervention  of  the 
C 


>■■■..;•■■  .:*^n^| 

''■'■■■?:,"<".„ 

:  i   .W.     •    ..f;1 


/■■'J 


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78 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  OPERATIONS 


\l^  I. 


woods:  but,  it  appeared,  that  while  Captain  Ross 
was  with  the  advanced  companies,  some  officers  im- 
prudently had  got  upon  a  fence,  out  of  curiosity,  and 
discovered  themselves  to  the  enemy.  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Simcoe  immediately  withdrew  his  men  out 
of  the  reach  of  any  chance  shot,  and  made  use  of  the 
low  ground  (the  crossing  of  which  would  have  led 
him  into  the  ambuscade)  to  march  his  infantry  under 
its  cover,  out  of  their  sight,  or  the  reach  of  their  can- 
non ;  he  sent  orders  to  Captain  Ross  to  withdraw,  and 
again  ambuscaded  the  cavalry,  in  a  position  to  take 
advantage  of  the  enemy,  if  any  party  of  them  should 
pursue  him,  or  from  Valentine's  hill  should  en- 
deavour to  incommode  his  retreat.  Observing 
the  movement  of  the  Yager  cavalry,  the  enemy 
marched  a  party  to  watch  their  motions,  on  the 
opposite  bank,  while  their  main  body  formed  the  line. 
Captain  Ross  thought  proper  to  wait  for  the  party 
which  had  passed  the  Brunx.  He  perm'tted  them  to 
come  close  to  him,  when  his  fire  threw  them  into  con- 
fusion. He  then  retreated,  making  a  small  circuit  to 
avoid  some  riflemen  who  had  occupied  the  wood ;  the 
corps  returned  to  their  camp.  The  grand  guard  was 
constantly  advanced  in  the  day-time  to  a  height,  from 
whence  it  had  a  view  of  the  passage  over  the  Brunx, 
at  William's  bridge ;  at  night  it  was  withdrawn.  Lieut. 
Colonel  Simcoe  being  on  duty  at  New- York  for  a  day, 
Captain  Ross,  in  visiting  the  piquet  at  night,  found 
the  sentinels  so  ill  placed,  that  he  ordered  Sergeant 
Kelly  and  two  huzzarsto  patrole  forwards  for  its  securi- 
ty ;  they  passed  a  few  hundred  yards  only  from  the  post. 


:/\. 


OF  THE  queen's  RANGERS. 


79 


in  Ross 
cers  im- 
sity,  and 
sutenant- 
men  out 
ise  of  the 
have  led 
try  under 
their  can- 
draw,  and 
)n  to  take 
em  should 
lould   en- 
Observing 
tie  enemy 
3,  on   the 
ed  the  hne. 

the  party 
ed  them  to 
n  into  con- 
^l  circuit  to 

wood ;  the 

guard  was 
leight,  from 

the  Brunx, 
awn.  Lieut, 
rk  for  a  day, 
light,  found 
Bd  Sergeant 
or  its  securi- 
•om  the  post, 


when  they  were  surrounded  by  a  party  who  lay  be- 
tween two  stone  walls,  and  taken  ;  nor  was  Captain 
Ross  to  be  blamed  for  ordering  the  patrole,  but  the 
Captain  of  cavalry,  who  had  omitted  a  principal 
sentinel :  this  patrole  made,  in  contradiction  to  Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel Simcoe's  principles,  was  the  only  one 
that  had  been  taken  under  his  command :  the  Sergeant 
having  been  in  the  rebel  service,  forced  thereto  by  all 
want  of  work,  was  thrown  into  prison  and  threatened 
with  death;  Lieutenant-Colonel  Simcoe  offered  a 
Sergeant  whom  he  had  lately  taken,  in  exchange  for 
him  ;  and  threatning  to  leave  to  the  mercy  of  his  sol- 
diers the  first  six  rebels  who  should  fall  into  his  hands, 
in  case  of  Kelly's  execution,  soon  obtained  his  release. 
July  the  18th  Captain  Lord  Cathcartwas  appointed 
Colonel,  and  on  the  1st  of  August  Captain  Tarleton, 
Lieutenant-Colonel  of  the  Legion :  Captain  Hovenden 
and  James's  troops  were  incorporated  in  that  corps. 
Captain  Ross  was  appointed  to  the  rank  of  Major  of 
the  Queen's  Rangers.  Lord  Cathcart  joined  the  light 
troops  at  Kingsbridge,  and  took  the  command  of  them. 
Lieutenant-Colonel  Simcoe  having  information  that 
three  distinct  patroles  of  thirty  men  each,  set  out  early 
in  the  morning  from  General  Scott's  camp  at  the  same 
time,  by  different  roads,  proposed  to  his  Lordship  to 
ambuscade  them,  on  a  supposition  that  they  had  orders 
to  assist  each  other  in  case  of  necessity ;  to  which  his 
Lordship  assenting,  the  infantry  of  the  Queen's  Ran- 
gers marched  and  occupied  a  wood  two  miles  in  front 
of  Kingsbridge,  and  Lord  Cathcart,  with  the  cavalry 
of  the  Rangers,  Legion,  and  Emmericks,  lay  half  a 


'■':■■•:■  ■■^■^M 

•'  ''••"J'I,v''«'i-V>i 

mm 


K-^.^' 


■M 

■'••11 


.'iK. 


\'l    w 


80 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  OPERATIONS 


\m\  -t^ 


hf'i 


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*1 


mile  in  the  rear,  from  whence  he  sent  out  a  patrole, 
which  passing  by  a  road  on  the  right  of  the  Rangers, 
advanced  a  quarter  of  a  mile  in  its  front,  and  return- 
ed. On  its  return,  Lord  Cathcart  began  firing  to  at- 
tract the  enemy's  notice,  a  party  of  whom  crossed  the 
country,  and  came  near  to  the  Queen's  Rangers,  but 
passed  no  further,  and,  after  firing  into  the  wood,  to 
the  right  of  the  ambuscade,  marched  off;  this  patrole 
had  approached,  as  was  expected,  on  hearing  the  fir- 
ing, and  would  inevitably  have  been  taken,  but,  as  it 
afterwards  appeared,  a  girl,  from  a  garret  window, 
had  seen  some  of  the  soldiers  on  their  march  to  the 
wood,  and  gave  the  enemy  intelligence. 

Lt.  Colonel  Simcoe  was  much  affected  at  Lord 
Cathcart's  having  the  rank  of  Colonel  of  Provin- 
cials, and  made,  in  consequence  of  it,  application  to 
the  Commander  in  Chief;  Sir  Henry  CHnton,  though 
he  waved  for  the  present  the  giving  Lt.  Colonel  Sim- 
coe rank  of  Lord  Cathcart,  offered  to  him  that 
of  Colonel,  which  he  respectfully  (but  as  the  event 
has  proved  most  unfortunately)  declined :  every  mo- 
tive that  he  had  to  solicit  this  rank,  by  Lord  Cath- 
cart's being  employed  on  other  duties,  was  done  away, 
and  Lt.  Colonel  Simcoe  remained  at  Kingsbridge,  in 
command  of  his  corps,  Lt.  Col.  Emmerick's,  and  the 
cavalry  of  the  Legion.  In  Lt.  Col.  Tarleton,  he  had 
a  colleague,  full  of  enterprise  and  spirit,  and  anxious 
for  every  opportunity  of  distinguishing  himself. 
These  officers,  when  making  observations  on  the 
country  in  front,  had  a  very  singular  and  narrow  es- 
cape, as  they  were  patroling  with  a  few  Huzzars. 


ariT 
toL 
aligh 
for  t 
India 
moun 
trivia 
their 
of  th< 
inforn 
natel}/ 
their  I 
and  ta 
soon  c 
situati( 
Erskir 
his  re( 
to  join 
might 
York 
cials 
could 
tion. 
of  inte 
The 
near  iV 
it  was 
sick  h( 
bourh( 


m 


'I    -i 


patrole, 
langers, 
I  return- 
ig  to  at- 
>ssed  the 
rers,  but 

NOOAy  to 

s  patrole 
g  the  fir- 
but,  as  it 
window, 
ch  to  the 

at  Lord 
f  Provin- 
ication  to 
m,  though 
onel  Sim- 
him   that 
the  event 
every  mo- 
ord  Cath- 
one  away, 
abridge,  in 
's,  and  the 
on,  he  had 
nd  anxious 
ig  himself, 
ms  on  the 
narrow  es- 
Huzzars, 


OF  THE  queen's  RANGERS. 


81 


The  Stockbridge  Indians  about  sixty  in  number,  ex- 
cellent marksmen,  had  just  joined  Mr.  Washington's 
ariny.  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  was  describing  a  private  road 
to  Lt.  Col.  Tarleton :  Wright,  his  orderly  dragoon, 
alighted  and  took  down  a  fence  of  Devon's  farm  yard, 
for  them  to  pass  through;  around  this  farm  the 
Indians  were  ambuscaded;  Wright  had  scarce 
mounted  his  horse,  when  these  officers,  for  some 
trivial  reason,  altered  their  intentions,  and,  spurring 
their  horses,  soon  rode  out  of  sight,  and  out  of  reach 
of  the  Indians.  In  a  few  days  after,  they  had  certain 
information  of  the  ambuscade,  which  they  so  fortu- 
nately had  escaped:  in  all  probability,  they  owed 
their  lives  to  the  Indians'  expectations  of  surrounding 
and  taking  them  prisoners.  Good  information  was 
soon  obtained,  by  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe,  of  General  Scott's 
situation,  and  character ;  and  he  desired  Sir  William 
Erskine  would  lay  before  the  Commander  in  Chief 
his  request,  that  he  would  permit  the  York  Volunteers 
to  join  him,  for  a  week ;  that,  during  that  time,  he 
might  attack  Scott's  camp :  he  particularly  named  the 
York  Volunteers,  as  he  wished  to  unite  the  Provin- 
cials in  one  enterprise  ;  unfortunately,  that  regiment 
could  not  be  spared,  as  it  was  ordered  for  embarka- 
tion. Scott  soon  altered  his  position ;  and  the  source 
of  intelligence,  relative  to  him,  was  destroyed. 

The  rebels  had,  in  the  day  time,  a  guard  of  cavalry, 
near  Marmaroneck,  which  was  withdrawn  at  night : 
it  was  intended  to  cover  the  country,  and  protect  some 
sick  horses,  turned  into  the  salt  marshes  in  the  neigh- 
bourhood ;  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  determined  to  attempt  its 
6* 


.  '1  /'  . 

■  ■v  ,  ..'.'--Jv'^ 
,  ''••'..'.■i;*.^s 

"i-.'l'.;,*,,. 


'■■■;■■■   .t*?;:vi| 

■  :l  i'  w 

C- ■:{!]■■ -'^■. 


•,i .  :{■ 


■      ■    ■    m''AV 


\'y 


v;  'i 


li    fijiJ. 


I  ^i^'y 


m 


l\  m 


82 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  OPERATIONS 


surprisal ;  General  Scott's  camp  was  not  above  three 
miles  from  it ;  and,  in  case  of  alarm,  he  had  a  shorter 
march  to  intercept  the  party,  at  Eastchester  bridge, 
than  it  had  to  return  there.  The  troops,  consisting 
of  the  Queen's  Rangers,  and  the  cavalry  of  the  Le- 
gion, marched  at  night ;  at  Chester  bridge.  Captain 
Saunders,  an  officer  of  great  address  and  determina- 
tion, was  left  in  ambuscade  in  a  wood,  with  a  detach- 
ment of  the  Rangers,  and  in  the  rear  of  the  post  that 
the  enemy  would,  probably,  occupy,  if  they  should 
attempt  to  cut  off  the  party  in  its  retreat.  His  di- 
rections were,  to  remain  undiscovered;  to  let  all 
patroles  pass ;  and,  in  case  the  enemy  should  post 
themselves,  to  wait  until  the  party,  upon  its  return, 
should  be  engaged  in  forcing  the  passage,  and  then  to 
sally  upon  their  rear.  The  troops  continued  their 
march,  passing  the  creek,  higher  up,  with  the  greatest 
silence ;  they  went  through  fields,  obliterating  every 
trace  of  their  passage  when  they  crossed  roads,  to 
avoid  discovery  from  disaffected  people,  or  the  ene- 
my's numerous  patroles.  When  they  arrived  at  their 
appointed  station,  Lt.  Col.  Tarleton,  with  the  cavahry, 
ambuscaded  the  road,  on  which  the  enemy's  guard 
was  to  approach ;  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  occupied  the  cen- 
tre, with  the  infantry,  in  a  wood,  and  Major  Ross  was 
posted  on  the  right,  to  intercept  whomsoever  Lt.  Col. 
Tarleton  should  let  pass.  Two  or  three  commissa- 
ries, and  others,  who  were  on  a  fishing  party,  were 
taken.  At  six  o'clock,  as  he  was  previously  ordered, 
Lt.  Col.  Tarleton  left  his  post,  when  the  party  of  the 
enemy  instantly  appeared  in  his  rear:  they  owed 


1 


i 


ve  three 
i  shorter 
r  bridge, 
ansisting 
the  Le- 
Captain 
3termina- 
a  detach- 
post  that 
3y  should 
.    Hisdi- 
to  let  all 
lould  post 
ts  return, 
ind  then  to 
aued  their 
[le  greatest 
[ting  every 
I  roads,  to 
►r  the  ene- 
fed  at  their 
he  cavalry, 
my's  guard 
5d  the  cen- 
ir  Ross  was 
^rer  Lt.  Col. 
commissa- 
)arty,  were 
sly  ordered, 
arty  of  the 
they  owed 


^1 


OF  THE  queen's  RANGERS. 


83 


their  safety  to  mere  accident.  The  information  that 
both  the  old  and  new  piquet  of  the  enemy  generally 
arrived  at  this  post  at  five  o'clock,  was  true  ;  a  horse, 
belonging  to  a  serjeant,  breaking  loose,  the  officer 
chose  to  wait  till  it  was  caught,  and  this  delayed  them 
for  a  full  hour.  Three  dragoons,  who  had  previously 
advanced  to  a  house  within  the  ambuscade,  were  now 
taken,  and  about  thirty  or  forty  lame  or  sick  horses. 
The  troops,  followed  at  a  distance  by  the  rebel  dra- 
goons, returned  home  without  any  accident.  Scott, 
upon  the  alarm,  ordered  off  his  baggage ;  and  Wash- 
ington sent  cannon,  and  troops,  to  his  assistance,  and 
put  his  army  under  arms.  Captain  Saunders  permit- 
ted two  patroles  to  pass,  having  effectually  concealed 
his  party.  The  prisoners  said,  that,  two  mornings 
before.  General  Gates  had  been  there  fishing. 

Lt.  Col.  Simcoe,  returning  from  head  quarters,  the 
20th  of  August,  heard  a  firing,  in  front,  and  being  in- 
formed that  Lt.  Col.  Emmerick  had  patrolled,  he  im- 
mediately marched  to  his  assistance.  He  soon  met 
him  retreating;  and  Lt.  Col.  Emmerick  being  of 
opinion  the  rebels  were  in  such  force,  that  it  would  be 
adviseable  t  -  'oturn,  he  did  so.  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  un- 
derstood that  .'jimham,  an  Indian  chief,  and  some  of 
his  tribe,  were  with  the  enemy  ;  and  by  his  spies,  who 
were  excellent,  he  was  informed  that  they  were  highly 
elated  at  the  retreat  of  Emmerick's  corps,  and  appli- 
ed it  to  the  whole  of  the  light  troops  at  Kingsbridge. 
Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  took  measures  to  increase  their  be- 
lief; and,  ordering  a  day's  provision  to  be  cooked, 
marched  the  next  morning,  the  31st  of  August,  a  small 


■'■■:'  .1  A 

,  '■'''.•..,v;4>*ffl 


.'.1.','. 


* 


-  '■' 


■'i 

^M 

'¥' 

^■■41 

■■'  --i^ 

,'  ;i^': 

"M 

"v-Uffl 

'•'•'"''M 

t  • 

■  ;;7il',H 

liH  'FiM 


84 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  OPERATIOITS 


11 


B     .: 


Mil  I '/If 


t  I 


distance  in  front  of  the  post,  and  determined  to  wait 
there  the  whole  day,  in  hopes  of  betraying  the  enemy 
into  an  ambuscade  :  the  country  was  most  favourable 
to  it.  His  idea  was,  as  the  enemy  moved  upon  the 
road  which  is  deUneated  in  the  plan  as  intersecting 
the  country,  to  advance  from  his  flanks ;  this  move- 
ment would  be  perfectly  concealed  by  the  fall  of  the 
ground  upon  his  right,  and  by  the  woods  upon  the 
left ;  and  he  meant  to  gain  the  heights  in  the  rear  of 
the  enemy,  attacking  whomsoever  should  be  within  by 
his  cavalry  and  such  infantry  as  might  be  necessary. 
In  pursuance  of  these  intentions,  Lt.  Col.  Emmerick, 
with  his  corps,  was  detached  from  the  Queen's  Rang- 
ers, and  Legion ;  as,  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  thought,  fully 
instructed  in  the  plan ;  however,  he,  most  unfortu- 
nately, mistook  the  nearer  house  for  one  at  a  greater 
distance,  the  names  being  the  same,  and  there  he 
posted  himself,  and  soon  after  sent  from  thence  a 
patrole  forward,  upon  the  road,  before  Lt.  Col.  Sim- 
coe could  have  time  to  stop  it.  This  patrole  had  no 
bad  effect,  not  meeting  with  any  enemy :  had  a  single 
man  of  it  deserted,  or  been  taken,  the  whole  attempt 
had,  probably,  been  abortive.  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe,  who 
was  half  way  up  a  tree,  on  the  top  of  which  was  a 
drummer  boy,  saw  a  flanking  party  of  the  enemy  ap- 
proach. The  troops  had  scarcely  fallen  into  their 
ranks,  when  a  smart  firing  was  heard  from  the  Indians, 
who  had  lined  the  fences  of  the  road,  and  were  ex- 
changing shot  with  Lt.  Col.  Emmerick,  whom  they 
had  discovered.  The  Queen's  Rangers  moved  rapidly 
to  gain  the  heights,  and  Lt.  Col.  Tarleton  immediately 


adv 

not 

a  ci 

bein 

colu 

and, 

heig 

bein; 

Thej 

corpi 

upon 

and  ; 

fence 

amon 

land's 

in  str 

andfe 

bayor 

Col. 

heighi 

few  o| 

underl 

ed  at 

this  al 

consej 

ordeg 

chieftJ 

and  iti 

them,  I 

Genei 

taken! 


■:  ''>-'-m 


to  wait 
B  enemy 
(Tourable 
ipon  the 
jrsecting 
is  move- 
11  of  the 
ipon  the 
e  rear  of 
(vithin  by 
ecessary. 
mmerick, 
n's  Rang- 
ght,  fully 
;  unfortu- 
a  greater 
there  he 
thence  a 
Col.  Sim- 
)le  had  no 
id  a  single 
le  attempt 
ncoe,  who 
ich  was  a 
enemy  ap- 
into  their 
le  Indians, 
J  were  ex- 
*vhom  they 
vcd  rapidly 
nmediately 


' 


OF  TIIF.  queen's  rangers. 


85 


advanced  with  the  Huzzars,  and  the  Legion  cavalry : 
not  being  able  to  pass  the  fences  in  his  front,  he  made 
a  circuit  to  return  further  upon  their  right ;  which 
being  reported  to  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe,  he  broke  from  the 
column  of  the  Rangers,  with  the  grenadier  company, 
and,  directing  Major  Ross  to  conduct  the  corps  to  the 
heights,  advanced  to  the  road,  and  arrived,  without 
being  perceived,  within  ten  yards  of  the  Indians. 
They  had  been  intent  upon  the  attack  of  Emmerick's 
corps,  and  the  Legion ;  they  now  gave  a  yell,  and  fired 
upon  the  grenadier  company,  wounding  four  of  them, 
and  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe.  They  were  driven  from  the 
fences ;  and  Lt.  Col.  Tarleton,  with  the  cavalry,  got 
among  them,  and  pursued  them  rapidly  down  Court- 
land's-ridge  :  that  active  officer  had  a  narrow  escape ; 
in  striking  at  one  of  the  fugitives,  he  lost  his  balance 
and  fell  from  his  horse ;  luckily,  the  Indian  had  no 
bayonet,  and  his  musket  had  been  discharged.  Lt. 
Col.  Simcoe  joined  the  battalion,  and  seized  the 
heights.  A  Captain  of  the  rebel  light  infantry,  and  a 
few  of  his  men,  were  taken ;  but  a  body  of  them, 
under  Major  Stewart,  who  afterwards  was  distinguish- 
ed at  Stony  Point,  left  the  Indians,  and  fled.  Though 
this  ambuscade,  in  its  greater  part,  failed,  it  was  of 
consequence.  Near  forty  of  the  Indians  were  killed, 
or  desperately  wounded ;  among  others,  Nimham,  a 
chieftain,  who  had  been  in  England,  and  his  son ; 
and  it  was  reported  to  have  stopt  a  larger  number  of 
them,  who  were  excellent  marksmen,  from  joining 
General  Washington's  army.  The  Indian  doctor  was 
taken ;  and  he  said,  that  when  Nimham  saw  the  gre- 


rv":.-  (•,',4''l 


M 


jm- 


>!  '':;    ,\ 


)hi 


;fi-'^ 


.i> 


■■r| 


I 


■fell 


86 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  OPERATIONS 


nadiers  close  in  his  rear,  he  called  out  to  his  people 
to  fly,  "  that  he  himself  was  old,  and  would  die  there ;" 
he  wounded  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe,  and  was  killed  by 
Wright,  his  orderly  Huzzar.  The  Indians  fought 
most  gallantly ;  they  pulled  more  than  one  of  the 
cavalry  from  their  horses ;  French,  an  active  youth, 
bugle-horn  to  the  Huzzars,  struck  at  an  Indian,  but 
missed  his  blow;  the  man  dragged  him  from  hi^ 
horse,  and  was  searching  for  his  knife  to  stab  him, 
when,  loosening  French's  hand,  he  luckily  drew  out  a 
pocket-pistol,  and  shot  the  Indian  through  the  head, 
in  which  situation  he  was  found.  One  man  of  the 
Legion  cavalry  was  killed,  and  one  of  them,  and  two 
of  the  Huzzars,  wounded. 

Colonel  Gist,  who  commanded  a  hght  corps  of  the 
rebels,  was  posted  near  Babcock's  house,  from  whence 
he  made  frequent  patroles.  Lt.  Colonel  Simcoe  had 
determined  to  attack  him ;  when,  a  deserter  coming 
in,  at  night,  who  gave  an  accurate  account  of  his 
position,  the  following  morning  was  fixed  upon  for 
the  attempt.  General  Kniphausen,  who  commanded 
at  Kingsbridge,  approved  of  the  enterprize,  and 
ordered  a  detachment  of  the  Yagers  to  co-operate  in 
it;  Lt.  Col.  Emmerick  undertook  to  lead  the  march, 
having,  in  his  corps,  people  who  were  well  acquainted 
with  the  country.  The  following  disposition  was 
made.  Emmerick's  infantry,  followed  by  the  Queen's 
Rangers,  were  to  march  through  the  meadows  on  the 
side  of  Valentine's  hill,  opposite  Courtland's-ridge, 
and  pass  between  the  rebel  sentries  to  Babcock's 
house,  when  they  would  be  in  the  rear  of  Gist's  en- 


■':''Jf!H 


lis  people 
ie  there ;" 
killed  by 
QS  fought 
Qe  of  the 
ive  youth, 
ndian,  but 

from  hi3 
stab  him, 
Irew  out  a 

the  head, 
nan  of  the 
a,  and  two 

arps  of  the 
jm  whence 
>imcoe  had 
;er  coming 
mnt  of  his 
1  upon  for 
;ommanded 
prize,  and 
i-operate  in 
the  march, 

acquainted 
Dsition  was 
the  Queen's 
lows  on  the 
and's-ridge, 

Babcock's 
■  Gist's  en- 


i& 


^W 


''(b. 


Sir 


,c®  :S 


.tt> 


:"'-  ^-  '^ 


*.:i. 


^€t: 


r- 


A#f 


'&' 


^ 


I>. 


^J 


■■»  .  ■  (C 


«t^,. 


"O 


o..^^Ar- 


a« 


ii^. 


■1^ 


<$;€>,..:" 
■"^I"'^' 


m 


^ 


Q-- 


'■.^.^■. 


©•;<r, 


fix 


'^■ 


■  l>\. 


■,l,  .11^ 


^;i? 


.■^•'■'•' 


'.)i  ■ '. 


■•,^fl 


;  *  f  , 


■  '"  "'J 


I      . 


.« 


;i^;i 


'   OF    (NDIC  OT     Pilw 


.]\inrs('A  i)K 

.,/  Ike  JAIHANS  ,rf 

\.Quec//s-  Mange/sii'J.t'iy,!!//  at  Aiiihtif- 
r>i/tr?/4'ri(kf<  (  or/is . 

Vi.FiJSf  Posi//07i  o/y'ffr/f/rv 

V  .  Sfl'OHil   i/U/l) 

( I .  Qiiitpit  's  A'a/iffcrs '  CiJ  v  nif  ■ 
\\.P>irr>uf 

\    P()si//o/t  n-Jtu'/i  L'  Co/  Mn//i/t'n</\ 
n-its  </inr/^('</  hi  fa/</' 


"■"■'€'y--'..^ 

... '  —  o  A.   ■•"■  ^.. 


"1.,.,!  *"■■■"■"'■£ i(gj  -....*"■,.  "-■ "'^'-"TT^;'^ 


iflC, 


I — J  I- 


m 


■"I I 


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s& 


tu  ■■• 


r-,-    ^..>'  ^T^o- 


"**  CT/, 


■'5J' 


^a^'^i;^^^;^,  >"xs.'--  r '■<*.:  "I'll 


«i4. 


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■A\c 


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:>^-^-rr^^^=^^^-^^^^:$J' 


;/to*lffl 


;;^ii»iiP^^i§*"*«i'§ 


'   ,.: 


Qc, 


;*  '  '  ^  '  *  -  ',1  -Ji^.  -  -,.-  -'-  .  .-^     ■'  *  '-C '-^-1 


^^^W^^f'^^'^.^s^i^r-^^^^^^^^^^ 


I.J    ... 


'■4^'."«v».^C'' 


^ 


'■••^  ■         ■•  ..•:■;...  -•.  ..  **  *-, 


'^ 


L  '  I'  or  ihQit  pti    mi,    •  jp» 


i 


*!'• 


ii^!^'<^-:i'," 


:    1}    ^ 


i ' 


if   I 
.,  r 


'■sm^ 


:^:h 


OF  THE  queen's  RANGERS. 


87 


campment,  which  they  were  immediately  to  attack ; 
Lieut.  Col.  Tarleton,  with  the  whole  of  the  cavalry, 
was  to  proceed  to  cover  the  right,  and  arrive  at  Val- 
entine's hill  by  daylight ;  a  detachment  of  Yagers, 
under  Captain  Wreden,  were  to  march  on  Courtland's 
ridge,  and  to  halt  opposite  to  Gist's  encampment; 
and  a  larger  detachment  of  Yagers,  under  Major 
Pruschank,  were,  at  the  same  time,  to  be  ready  to 
force  Phillip's  bridge,  then  to  proceed  to  the  bridge 
opposite  Babcock's  house,  and  to  cut  off  the  enemy's 
retreat  by  that  road.    The  signal  for  these  divisions' 
moving  on  was  to  be  the  noise  of  storming  Gist's 
encampment.      Lt.   Col.   Emmerick  conducted  the 
march  in  so  able  a  manner,  and  the  whole  corps  fol- 
lowed with  so  much  silence,  that  the  enemy's  sentinels 
were  passed  without  alarm,  and  this  division  gained 
the  heights  in  the  rear,  and  could  see  the  whole  chain 
of  sentinels  walking  below  them.     Major  Ross  was 
detached  to  possess  himself  of  Post's  house,  to  pre- 
serve a  communication  with  Lt.  Col.  Tarleton,  on 
Valentine's  hill ;  the  remainder  of  the  Rangers  inclined 
to  the  right,  towards  Gist's  camp,  and  Lt.  Col.  Em- 
merick was  directed  to  secure  the  saw-mill  road. 
Firing  soon  began  ;  and  it  was  apparent  from  Lt. 
Col.  Emmerick's  quarter,  whom  the  enemy  had  dis- 
covered.   Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  immediately  moved  rapidly 
into  the  road,  and  directly  up  the  steeps  to  the  enemy's 
camp,  as  a  nearer  way  than  through  the  thickets  ;  he 
attained  it,  and,  to  his   great  surprize,  found  that 
Major  Pruschank  had  not  forced  Phillip's  bridge,  as 
had  been  intended,  but  had  crossed  and  joined  Captain 


•  "■.•'.,''>»i 


"  .:  ,'    •    ■'<- 


88 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  OPERATIONS 


i:-* 


i"^' 


>    ! 

■n- 1. 


Wreden  on  Courtland's-ridge,  and  that  Colonel  Gist 
had  escaped  through  the  passage  which  had  been  so 
unaccountably  left  open.  Lt.  Col.  Tarleton  fell  in 
with  a  patrole  of  cavalry,  and  dispersed  it ;  and  the 
Queen's  Rangers,  as  soon  as  they  got  possession  of 
Gist's  camp,  having  ambuscaded  themselves,  took  a 
patrole  which  came  forward  on  hearing  the  firing. 
The  troops  set  fire  to  Gist's  huts,  and  returned  to 
their  camp.  Soon  after,  Mr.  Washington  quitted  the 
White-plains ;  and  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  was  not  a  little 
gratified  at  the  country  people,  among  other  reasons, 
attributing  this  measure  to  the  continual  checks  which 
his  light  troops  had  received.  The  next  day,  he  pa- 
trolcd  so  near  as  to  be  certain  of  the  enemy  having 
decamped.  Soon  after,  patroling  again  to  that  spot, 
Lt.  Col.  Tarleton,  who  was  in  front,  sent  to  inform 
Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  that  he  understood  there  was  a 
piquet  of  the  enemy  two  miles  off  to  the  right  of  the 
White-plains,  and  desired  that  he  would  send  a  party 
to  the  Plains  to  watch  that  quarter,  while  he  galloped 
on  to  the  enemy's  post.  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  went  him- 
self to  the  White-plains,  and  observed  and  sketched 
the  inaccessible  ground  which  Mr.  Washington  had 
occupied,  in  177G,  and  which  hitherto  had  not  been 
visited  by  any  British  officer ;  Lieut.  Col.  Tarleton, 
soon  after,  returned ;  he  had  j)ut  the  enemy's  piquet 
to  flight,  and  taken  some  prisoners. 

Colonel  (now  Sir  Archibald)  Campbell  advanced, 
the  latter  end  of  September,  with  the  71st  regiment 
and  the  light  troops,  to  Milcsquare,  where,  soon  after, 
Major-Gcncral  Grant,  with  a  larger  force,  occupied 


I 


i 


onel  Gist 

been  so 
on  fell  in 
;  and  the 
session  of 
3S,  took  a 
the  firing, 
jturned  to 
quitted  the 
not  a  httle 
er  reasons, 
ecks  which 
[lay,  he  pa- 
Bmy  having 
0  that  spot, 
it  to  inform 
lere  was    a 

right  of  the 
send  a  party 

he  galloped 
e  went  him- 
ind  sketched 
ihington  had 
lad  not  been 
ol.  Tarleton, 
lemy's  piquet 

ell  advanced, 
1st  regiment 
re,  soon  after, 
rcc,  occupied 


it' 


•j"    NIA     <«  uhk    . 


/^on.a^f'd  (C  </r/(ieAwf/U  of  the  Ya^^s 
CtyJU   y'roa/us  unt/e/-  (W.  (ft si  ■ 


■-*  t"-'Si 


•■■■•  i 

•   ■  '1-5 

"■•''  '^;-[ 

.  ■  '■ 

:--,v;-! 

**   ' 

■-:f^M 

■:  n 

-V'i'*'  ■*■• 

'  '.'if.': 

1*.    r'/i 
•■ ;  ■ "  ; .}  i 

;"i; 


■.ir'i:     « 


'I 

'  1 

'  ''1 


MARCH o/'f/ie  Q/'K/^:XS  /f 

KitffNe/'f/A's  Cor/fti  f/te  (}fV'tt./ry  of  f//t'  /jCffion  /f/u/^r  /. 
J //e  H'/iofe  comMO/ulu/ Ifv/J Co/:Sima)eto  sN/yirixea  Cor, 

E  xplanalioii 


m  4mE-i>i:^.^  ^: 


.:.:  '^•■■.-<.->-:3,^;,.M^      ^  ■ '^'fe  S-- rfu  ,© ' 
2?  ----^^^      ..:W/3|P^.Cv>., 


thOiLOl'     N  KM      Vbnf^ 


y  of  //-<"  Aeffion  //////tv  LTo/  7'aH^/on', and  a?-  t/t^iMiAme/il of  t/tf  Ya4jfejs 
itmweta  su/yvrixea  Cor/isofRedelAigki   Ivoo/vs  uru/e/'Col.  {fvsl. 

)lanalioii 

'ir  fJu:y  fill ifttd  ///  //i^  Heir/  .i/V///' /'j'//f///y, urh/ />nn iHtvf  h  C . O'/sf n C'd/f^r    Bnt "^ ('./I'alry 


i 


OF  THE  queen's  RANGERS. 


89 


the  ground,  from  the  Brunx,  at  Hunt's  bridge,  to  the 
North  river.  The  Provincial  troops,  consisting  of 
the  Queen's  Rangers,  Delancey's,  Emmerick's,  and 
Legion  cavalry,  under  Lieut.  Col.  Simcoe,  were  on 
the  right,  beyond  the  Brunx,  and  formed  a  flying  camp 
between  that  and  Chester  creek :  as  this  corps  was 
liable  to  be  struck  at,  it  seldom  encamped  two  days 
and  nights  in  the  same  place,  and  constantly  occupied 
a  strong  position.  Their  patroles,  crossing  the 
country,  together  with  the  Yagers,  who  were  on  the 
left,  effectually  covered  the  camp.  An  ambuscade 
was  laid  by  Colonel  Lee,  for  the  Yager  patroles, 
which,  in  part,  was  successful.  General  Grant,  wish- 
ing to  retaliate  upon  the  enemy,  an  attempt  was  made 
to  surprize  a  post  at  Hammond's  house ;  the  Provin- 
cial troops  were  to  make  a  circuit  to  gain  its  rear, 
and  the  Yagers  were  to  approach  to  the  front.  After 
a  very  fatiguing  and  long  march,  the  party  gained 
their  position,  but  the  enemy  had  gone  off".  On  the 
return  to  camp.  Lieutenant  Colonel  Simcoe  net 
General  Grant,  and  requested,  that,  as  the  corps 
under  his  command  was  severely  fatigued  and  inca- 
pable of  exertion,  he  might  pass  the  Brunx,  and  lie 
within  the  guards  of  the  line.  The  General  assented : 
nor  was  it  useless,  for  the  next  day,  when  they 
returned  to  their  former  position,  Major  Ross  made 
a  patrol,  and  brought  certain  intelligence  tnat  a  large 
body  of  the  enemy's  infantry,  pressing  horses,  had 
approached  the  post,  at  night,  within  two  miles, 
intending  to  attack  it. 
7 


■ilV  ■■;     •■'    >■  litis 

.  ■■  ■  ■■<■  ^.--'''li 


.■'■■:     ■'■'<■■  ,^';'^-1 


■■.',*•: 


'V 


I 


■■.?'■<;.:- 


■i  :•■. 


,  i     .  ■■• 


>:'•■,;  ' 


'■«  ^;;i:';- 


1-  -;  ; 


'■■''iJ 


".     Ai 


m- 


*fr.v 


,•;  ■  i  -l 


If    M  :r 


'm 


If;.'.   .       ,. 


90 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  OPERATIONS 


Earl  Cornwallis,  being  foraging  near  the  English 
neighborhood,  in  the  Jerseys,  it  was  thought  easy, 
whilst  his  lordship  pushed  a  body  of  mihtia,  who 
were  watching  his  motions  in  front,  to  intercept  their 
retreat  by  passing  a  corps  over  the  North  river ;  for 
this  purpose.  Colonel  Campbell,  with  the  7l8t  and 
Queen's  Rangers,  were  ordered  to  embark  from 
Phillip's  house;  they  arrived  there,  and  waited  for 
the  boats  from  New- York,  which  did  not  come,  or 
land  them  till  three  hours  after  the  appointed  time. 
However,  the  enemy  had  changed  their  position,  and 
Colonel  Campbell  joined  General  Grey,  who  had  just 
surprised  Baylor's  dragoons  ;  his  troops  being  fresh, 
he  offered  his  services  to  penetrate  further  into  the 
country,  and  to  collect  what  cattle  he  could ;  which 
being  done,  the  detachment  recrossed  the  river,  and 
returned  on  the  evening  to  their  several  encampments. 
It  requires  great  skill,  and  still  greater  attention,  to 
adapt  the  movements  of  any  embarkation  in  boats  to 
the  tides  and  shoals  of  rivers :  this  was  the  second 
expedition  mentioned  in  this  Journal,  which  might 
have  failed,  from  the  want  of  such  knowledge,  or  of 
attention  in  its  execution. 

General  Grant,  being  to  embark  for  the  West- 
Indies,  was  so  well  satisfied  with  the  Queen's  Rang- 
ers, that  he  told  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe,  if  he  could  get  Sir 
Henry  Clinton's  permission,  he  would  readily  take 
him,  and  his  corps,  among  the  number  of  chosen 
troops  destined  for  that  service.  This  kind  and  gen- 
erous offer,  could  not  but  be  highly  agreeable  to  him, 
and  to  the  officers  of  the  Queen's  Rangers,  and  noth- 


(I    1. 


'  Vifc;   '*^  "•■\ 


English 
It  easy, 
ia,  who 
jpt  their 
»rer ;  for 
rist  and 
rk  from 
ttited  for 
;ome,  or 
ted  time, 
ition,  and 
3  had  just 
ling  fresh, 
'  into  the 
[d ;  which 
river,  and 
impments. 
ention,  to 
n  boats  to 
le  second 
lich  might 
|dge,  or  of 

Lhe  West- 
Isn's  Rang- 
ild  get  Sir 
ladily  take 
]  of  chosen 
Id  and  gen- 
Ible  to  him, 
I,  and  noth- 


OF  THE  queen's  RANGERS. 


91 


ing  could  have  made  them  decline  it,  but  a  conviction 
that  it  would  not  be  just  in  them  to  the  many  very 
valuable  native  Americans  who  were  among  their 
non-commissioned  officers,  and  soldiers ;  Lieut.  Col. 
Simcoe,  therefore,  respectfully  declined  this  very  ad- 
vantageous offer,  and  the  certainty  of  British  rank 
which  must  have  resulted  from  it.  Major  Ross  went 
upon  the  expedition  as  Brigade-Major,  and  Lt.  Col. 
Simcoe  was  deprived  of  the  assistance  of  his  valuable 
friend,  as  his  country  was,  too  soon,  of  the  services 
of  this  gallant  officer,  he  being  unfortunately  killed  at 
St.  Christopher's.  Captain  Armstrong  was  appointed 
Major  in  his  room.  Lieut.  Col.  Simcoe,  Captain  in 
the  40th,  which  regiment  went  with  General  Grant, 
was  permitted  to  remain  in  the  Rangers,  by  a  very 
honourable  distinction  which  the  Commander  in  Chief 
was  pleased  to  make,  in  public  orders.  The  army, 
soon  after,  returned  to  York  island ;  and  the  Rangers 
fell  back  nearer  to  the  redoubts. 

Captain  Beckwith,  (now  Major),  aid-du-camp  to 
General  Kniphausen,  procured  intelligence  of  the 
strength,  and  of  the  views  of  the  enemy's  advanced 
corps ;  and  he  informed  Lieut.  Col.  Simcoe,  that 
Colonel  Armand  lay  in  a  situation  easily  to  be  sur- 
prized. In  a  few  days,  some  deserters  came  in :  upon 
their  arrival,  Captain  Beckwith  examined  them,  and 
sent  them  on  to  head  quarters  at  New- York.  Lieut. 
Col.  Simcoe,  went  immediately  to  New  York,  to  get 
the  deserters,  as  guides ;  unfortunately,  they  had  en- 
listed in  the  Legion,  and  been  sent  to  Long-island, 
where  that  corps,  having  left  Kingsbridge,  was  quar- 


;  i.-...:".'/;i)('S 


m 

.If'-  .*(:• 

'[  **-l-. 

.''tft 

>t .'. .;  ..;- 

'^'^*X' 

s;-i;^ 


I 


•,l:'(' 


V     r  ." 


i ' ,  ^,  1 


1 

t 

13 

Fl 

, 

'^' 

l'> 

1 

M  '^■- 

1  m^ 

i,«w| 

>i 

4   ' 

:*1 


.*  :■• 


I  ,^  It       4'? 


ph^  I. 


mm"-'"-,  . 


92 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  OPERATIONS 


tered.  Their  information  was,  that  one  sentry  was 
posted  by  each  house,  that  Armand  had  neither 
videtts  nor  piquets,  and  that  his  horses  were  unsad- 
dled during  the  night,  and  in  different  stables. 

Before  the  troops  went  into  winter  quarters,  it  was 
necessary,  that  sufficient  boards  should  be  procured 
to  hut  those  who  were  to  remain  in  the  vicinity  of 
Kingsbridge,  and  the  light  troops  were  of  the  parties 
who  collected  them.  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  proposed  to 
General  Tryon,  who  commanded  the  British,  to  take 
down  Ward's  house,  and  the  buildings  in  its  vicinity ; 
and  that,  while  a  covering  party  should  halt  there, 
he  would  attempt  to  surprise  Colonel  Thomas,  a  very 
active  partizan  of  the  enemy,  and  a  post  of  dragoons, 
nearly  twenty  miles  beyond  it.  General  Tryon  ac- 
quiesced in  the  proposal,  and  directed  it  to  be  put  in 
execution,  but  seemed  very  doubtful,  whether  ^ 
wary  a  person  as  Thomas  could  be  circumvented. 
Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  marched  all  night,  with  Emmerick's 
and  the  Queen's  Rangers,  and  surrounded  Thomas's 
house  by  day-break.  He  never  lay  at  home  before 
that  night,  and  had  done  so  in  consequence  of 
the  British  troops,  in  general,  being  gone  into  winter 
quarters,  and  one  of  his  own  spies  being  deceived, 
and  made  to  believe  that  the  Queen's  Rangers  were 
to  march  to  Long  island.  One  shot  was  fired  from 
the  window,  which,  unfortunately,  killed  a  man,  by 
the  side  of  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  ;  the  house  was  immedi- 
ately forced,  and,  no  resistance  being  made,  the  offi- 
cers shut  the  doors  of  the  different  rooms,  to  prevent 
the  irritated  soldiers  from  revenging  their  unfortunate 


«^i 


II 


ry  was 
neither 
unsad- 

8,  it  was 
rocured 
jinity  of 
3  parties 
)Osed  to 
,  to  take 
vicinity ; 
dt  there, 
LS,  a  very 
Iragoons, 
ryon  ac- 
be  put  in 
lether  ^ 
imvented. 
imerick's 
'homas's 
le  before 
luence  of 
[to  winter 
deceived, 
rers  were 
ired  from 
man,  by 
immedi- 
I,  the  offi- 
prevent 
fortunate 


OF  THE  queen's  RANGERS. 


93 


comrade :  the  man,  who  fired  was  the  only  person 
killed ;  but  Thomas,  after  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  had  per- 
sonally protected  him  and  ensured  his  safety,  jumped 
out  of  the  window,  and,  springing  over  some  fences 
would  have  certainly  escaped,  notwithstanding  most 
of  Emmerick's  riflemen  fired  at  him,  had  not  an 
Huzzar  leapt  after  him  and  cut  at  him  with  his  sword, 
(which  he  crouched  from  and  luckily  escaped,)  when 
he  surrendered.  The  cavalry  proceeded  on  to  the 
enemy's  piquet,  at  a  mile  distance.  They  had  been 
alarmed  by  the  firing,  and  were  formed ;  they  fired 
their  carbines  (by  which  Captain  Ogden,  of  Emmer- 
ick's  was  wounded)  and  fled :  they  were  pursued, 
but  to  no  purpose.  The  troops  returned  to  General 
Tyron,  who  was,  in  person,  at  Ward's  house,  and 
who  was  much  pleased  at  this  mischievous  partizan's 
being  taken.    This  march  was  above  fifty  miles. 

The  season  had  been,  for  some  time,  dreadfully 
inclement,  and  was  severely  felt  by  the  troops  en- 
camped on  the  exposed  heights  of  Kingsbridge ;  it 
was,  therefore,  with  great  pleasure,  that  Lieut.  Col. 
Simcoe  received  orders  to  march  for  winter  quarters 
to  Oyster  bay,  in  Long  island,  where  he  arrived  on 
the  19th  of  November.  As  it  was  understood  that 
this  village  was  to  be  the  winter  cantonment  of  the 
corps,  no  time  was  lost  in  fortifying  it ;  the  very  next 
day,  the  whole  corps  was  employed  in  cutting  fascines. 
There  was  a  centrical  hill,  which  totally  commanded 
the  village,  and  seemed  well  adapted  for  a  place  of 
arms  ;  the  outer  circuit  of  this  hill,  in  the  most  ac- 
cessible places,  was  to  be  fortified  by  sunken  fleches, 
"7* 


•>•■  5'?«..'V'..N.l!* 


..'■■:>  -: 


'.it 


':^-M 


M 


■■^if' ''''  ' 


m. 


\ 


V 


f 

i.  -        '  .  ' 

. 

i 

i'    ■ . 
f    ■ 

r'r 

'•::V#' 

t:   ,  • 

.  ■■■'    "•■  ■ 
■..'•V    ■  '.'-'v'- 

.  :>:| 

? 

-ii^ 

I,- 

r  *''}'.*:- 

•¥■ 


want. 


ii-?^.^"'. 


'•■r 


'P 


i 


ll 


■f 


94 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  OPERATIONS 


joined  by  abatis,  and  would  have  contained  the 
whole  corps ;  the  summit  was  covered  by  a  square 
redoubt,  and  was  capable  of  holding  seventy  men  ; 
platforms  were  erected,  in  each  angle,  for  the  field 
pieces,  and  the  guard-house,  in  the  centre,  cased  and 
filled  with  sand,  was  rendered  musket  proof,  and 
looped  so  as  to  command  the  platforms,  and  surface 
of  the  parapet ;  the  ordinary  guard,  twenty  men, 
were  sufiicient  for  its  defence.  Some  of  the  militia 
assisted,  in  working,  one  day,  when  Sir  William 
Erskine  came  to  Oyster  bay,  intentionally  to  remove 
the  corps  to  Jericho,  a  quarter  the  Legion  was  to  quit 
in  order  to  accompany  him  to  the  east  end  of  the 
island.  I^t.  Col.  Simcoe  represented  to  him,  that  in 
case  of  the  enemy's  passing  the  sound,  both  Oyster 
bay  and  Jericho  were  at  too  great  a  distance  from 
any  post  to  expect  succor,  but  that  the  latter  was 
-%i  equally  hable  to  surprize  as  Oyster  bay,  that  its  being 
farther  from  the  coast  was  no  advantage,  as  the  enemy, 
acquainted  with  the  country,  and  in  league  with  the 
disaffected  inhabitants  of  it,  could  have  lull  time  to 
penetrate,  undiscovered,  through  the  woods,  and, 
that  the  vicinity  of  Oyster  bay  to  the  sea  coast  would 
enable  him  to  have  a  more  watchful  eye  over  the 
landing  places,  and  to  acquire  a  knowledge  of  the 
principles  of  the  inhabitants  in  these  important  situa- 
tions ;  and  that  provisions  from  New  York  might  be 
received  by  water.  Sir  William  Erskine  was  pleased 
to  agree  with  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  ;  and  expressed  him- 
self highly  satisfied  with  the  means  that  had  been 
taken  to  ensure  the  post;  and,  on  his  representation, 


lined    the 
a  square 
nty  men; 
•  the  field 
cased  and 
)roof,  and 
nd  surface 
enty  men, 
the  miUtia 
r  WiUiam 
to  remove 
ivas  to  quit 
end  of  the 
m,  that  in 
3th  Oyster 
tance  from 
latter  was 
at  its  being 
the  enemy, 
e  with  the 
iiU  time  to 
oods,  and, 
;oast  would 
5  over  the 
dge  of  the 
rtant  situa- 
k  might  be 
vas  pleased 
esscd  him- 
had  been 
'cseniation, 


>:  *:' 


■■:'y'%yt'm 


•■.•,*■ 


■,     [  ;   ,"*4'' 


r/i  /•.(• 

<■(•  Hir/.'Aur^. 

tf  Co/  i*^iin,ri!v  (hti//  ft  i\\ 


''  '*t    ■'    %    ^    ■■■■''■■    %     ■  '      \ 

^'r  .  -      ■     -i.  .•••;■■■■  5^^o^<   .;■//  #«Wr      A--     •    ■•     :L 


•V  • 

\  ■  ' 


V  -'i- 


i  <:  '  'iir-- '■ 


^*#;P 


•r«-:.'i»"  •— ■.. 


(^'•i"'ll«f" 


& 


il"" 


'i'li"'..." 


it'   .  .1 


?5 


III!//-    ' ' 


y/;mimm 


*% 


.J.: ■:, ■.■i*..:-..4i',  ;il..;;..,;,. 


hm,    ii  i    '.  'l,     '■•';»:        .       .  ..•■         ■■  r- _... 


■■il||'^l'i.'^^'' 

-••'iiti.'ii'. 


rv^i  r',;  -r;' .ii-.j- 


.A .    ftfifotif'/     •■     J  I 

i' !  ^>//.///-^V.v  .^rprrairlv  fhrr,r,n/.  (,)  I '  K  h'.  NS    K  A  N  l)  I''.  K  i* 


I',  yihirti  rs 
•'.  \\  N'S    KA  N  O  I''  K  i* .  H;  .  /,//7//  ^  r'/  ,SV///r/'^.;  i>iuirti  /;v 


■  i 


in  easel 
the  frit 
depredj 
soldieri 
houses  I 
nals  wa 
pie,  in 


OF  THE  queen's  RANGERS. 


95 


the  corps  was  permitted  to  remain  in  its  present  can- 
tonments. There  was  a  small  garrison  at  Lloyd's 
neck,  within  twelve  miles  of  Oyster  bay :  a  feint,  in 
case  of  attack,  would  serve  to  have  kept  this  post 
within  its  redoubts.  The  nearest  cantonment  was  at 
Jamaica,  where  the  British  grenadiers  lay  ;  this  was 
almost  thirty  miles  from  Oyster  bay.  The  New- 
England  shore  was  not  more  than  twelve,  and  in  many 
places  but  seven  or  eight  miles  over ;  and  there  were 
many  favourable  landing  places  within  a  mile  or  two 
of  Oyster  bay.  The  enemy  could  raise  any  number 
of  men  for  such  an  expedition ;  General  Parsons  lay, 
with  some  regular  troops,  in  the  vicinity,  and  there 
were  whale-boats  sufficient  to  carry  two-thousand 
men,  who,  in  three  hours,  might  attack  the  conton- 
ment.  The  situation  was  an  anxious  one,  and  required 
all  the  vigilance  and  system  of  discipline  to  prevent 
an  active  enemy  from  taking  advantage  of  it.  Every 
separate  quarter  was  loop-holed,  and  surrounded  with 
abatis  in  such  a  manner  that  it  could  not  be  forced. 
A  house  was  moved,  bodily,  to  the  rear,  near  to  the 
beach,  where  the  Highland  and  Grenadier  companies 
were  quartered.  A  general  plan  of  defence  was  cal- 
culated for  the  whole ;  and  proper  orders  were  given, 
in  case  of  attack.  Patroles  were  frequently  made ; 
the  friendly  inhabitants  were  on  the  watch,  and  some 
depredations  having  been  committed,  convalescent 
soldiers,  of  good  characters,  were  sent  to  lodge  in  the 
houses  of  those  of  the  vicinity  who  chose  it ;  and  sig- 
nals were  appointed  to  bo  made  by  the  country  peo- 
ple, in  case  any  plunderers  were  out,  on  which,  senti- 


■0' 

^11 

Mm 

^ 

'     ,.'■'■    -1^ 

'v-;.  ■"*,'*. 

■Mf^ 

'.si 


\ 


1*  ■ 
"•'■■'I 


96 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  OPERATIONS 


lit   >   k    ■■ 


;]|  - 


nels  were  to  be  placed  on  each  barrack,  and  the  rolls 
immediately  called ;  by  these,  and  other  precautions, 
marauding  was  effectually  prevented :  since  the  con- 
clusion of  the  war,  Lieut.  Col.  Simcoe  has  had  the 
satisfaction  of  hearing,  that  his  precautions  were  not 
in  vain,  for  that,  more  than  once,  an  attack  on  Oyster 
bay  was  meditated,  and  laid  aside. 

There  being  little  probability  of  the  Queen's  Rang- 
ers recruiting,  notwithstanding  the  exertions  of  the 
parties  on  that  service,  while  much  greater  bounties 
were  given,  by  regiments  now  raising,  than  Govern- 
ment allowed  the  Provincials,  it  was,  in  public  orders, 
recommended  to  the  consideration  of  the  officers, 
"whether  a  strict  soldier-hke,  and  honourable  oecon- 
"  omy,  which  their  present  situation  would  admit  of, 
"  might  not  enable  them,  by  adding  to  the  bounties 
"  allowed  by  Government,  to  recruit  their  companies, 
"  and  give  them  opportunities  of  acting  in  a  wider 
"  sphere  at  the  commencement  of  the  next  campaign, 
"  which,  from  every  appearance,  was  like  to  be  most 
"  active  ?"  The  officers  subscribed  liberally  to  the 
recruiting  fund.  The  Commander  in  Chief  intend- 
ing to  augment  the  Huzzars  of  the  Queen's  Rangers, 
to  a  troop  of  fifty,  or  more,  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  applied, 
through  Sir  William  Erskine,  that  Lieut.  Wickham 
should  be  captain  ;  Lieut.  M'Nab  lieutenant ;  Quar- 
ter-master Spencer,  of  the  16th  dragoons,  cornet ; 
and  Serjeant  Spurry,  of  the  same  regiment,  quarter- 
master. That  regiment  had  been  drafted,  and  Lt.  Col. 
Simcoe,  with  his  utmost  solicitations,  could  not  pro- 
cure the  Quarter-master,  or  a  single  dragoon  from  the 


corps, 
ing,  ar 
that  th 
Jar  dr 
extrem 
soldier 
of  veg« 
visions, 
the  att( 
them  in 
sufficiei 
in  greal 
and  safe 
wards  t] 
were  ms 
in  Chief 
quently 
intercou 
to  escoi 
skine, 
and  Jam 
ledge 
bum  the 
and  had 
wood  ani 
patched 
posals  b( 
did  not 
plan  in 
Rangers 
might  ofl 


J  i! 


[le  rolls 
.utions, 
le  con- 
lad  the 
ere  not 
Oyster 

'8  Rang- 
9  of  the 
[)Ounties 
Govern- 
c  orders, 

officers, 
e  oBCon- 
idmit  of, 
bounties 
mpanies, 

a  wider 
ampaign, 

be  most 
to  the 

"  intend- 

Rangers, 
apphed, 

Vickham 
;  Quar- 
cornet ; 

,  qiiarter- 

d  Lt.  Col. 

I  not  pro- 

i  from  the 


OF  THE  queen's  RANGERS. 


97 


corps.  The  regular  and  methodical  mode  of  dress- 
ing, and  feeding  the  horses,  was  the  point  of  service 
that  the  troop  wished  to  be  instructed  in,  by  the  regu- 
lar dragoons.  The  situation  at  Oyster  Bay  was 
extremely  well  calculated  to  secure  the  health  of  the 
soldiery  ;  the  water  was  excellent ;  there  was  plenty 
of  vegetables,  and  oysters  to  join  with  their  salt  pro- 
visions, and  bathing  did  not  a  little  contribute,  with 
the  attention  of  the  officers  to  cleanliness,  to  render 
them  in  high  order  for  the  field,  nor  were  they  without 
sufficient  exercise  :  the  garrison  in  New- York  being 
in  great  want  of  forage.  Oyster  Bay  became  a  central 
and  safe  deposit  for  it,  and  frequent  expeditions,  to- 
wards the  eastern  and  interior  parts  of  the  island, 
were  made  to  enforce  the  orders  of  the  Commander 
in  Chief  in  this  respect ;  excursions  wer^  also  fre- 
quently made  to  execute  other  orders,  relative  to  the 
intercourse  with  the  inhabitants  of  the  rebel  coast,  and 
to  escort  messengers.  Ace.  between  Sir  William  Er- 
skine,  who  commanded  on  the  east  end  of  the  island, 
and  Jamaica.  Lt.  Whitlock,  having  a  perfect  know- 
ledge of  the  country  about  Norwalk,  proposed  to 
bum  the  whale-boats,  which  were  harboured  there, 
and  had  infested  the  sound,  and  taken  several  of  the 
wood  and  provision  vessels ;  he  was  immediately  dis- 
patched to  the  Commander  in  Cliief,  to  lay  his  pro- 
posals before  him.  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  at  tliis  period, 
did  not  think  it  advisable  to  put  Lieut.  Whitlock's 
plan  in  execution.  The  officers  of  the  Queen's 
Rangers  always  understood,  that  whatever  plans  they 
might  ofler  for  the  good  of  the  King's  service,  would 


m 

'■mm 

f 

..-    .•.•.;     ■     '.'! 

;^  •■ 

f ''        v>' 

■!•,•,',•;,•    .-  S 

■    ■  ;  ■    .J     ■>-•;  • 

■      *  , 

■t.t'     ■''.   M 

,•  ■  ^-  ;  ?■, 

' ,       /    ■•■'*■. 

rVj'! 

1      ;•.■  ■ 

,  A  ■ 

'■''  "■*■-'        ■■.;■ 

■ "  ; ;  • 

'•MB^, 

■  '■;  ■ 

'■■■'"  :-xi'.:':^': 

^v-    ;>.-V:'-'^*- 

t     ■•.^:5i'■•V- 

Ui€^!'-j}>X 

.' '  ■( 

■:iti.-^'''-: 

■-'■:?^^'"..' 

■  -mu- 

■;»  ; 


'^'^H 

fW'V 

li 

■p  : 

^^H 

w 

■I 

\  a- 


'■':!/  ■    •  . 


■■Hi--i      • 


<> 


iifll 


it 


98 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  OPERATIONS 


be  patronised,  and  fairly  represented  to  the  Comman- 
der in  Chief,  by  the  Lieutenant-Colonel,  that  they 
might  reap  the  fruit  of  their  own  exertions.  The 
corps  had  constantly  been  exercised  in  the  firing  mo- 
tions, and  the  charging  with  bayonets,  upon  their 
respective  parades ;  as  the  season  opened,  they  were 
assembled  together :  they  were,  particularly,  trained 
to  attack  a  supposed  enemy,  posted  behind  railing, 
the  CO'  mon  position  of  the  rebels ;  they  were  in- 
structed not  to  fire,  but  to  charge  their  bayonets  with 
their  muskets  loaded,  and,  upon  their  arrival  at  the 
fence,  each  soldier  to  take  his  aim  at  their  opponents, 
who  were  then  supposed  to  have  been  driven  from 
it ;  they  were  taught  that,  in  the  position  of  running, 
their  bodies  aflTorded  a  less  and  more  uncertain  mark 
to  their  antagonists,  whose  minds  also  must  be  per- 
turbed by  the  rapidity  of  their  approach  with  undis- 
charged arms.  The  light  infantry,  and  Huzzars, 
were  put  under  the  direction  of  Captain  Saunders, 
who  taught  them  to  gallop  through  woods,  and  acting 
together,  the  light  infantry  learnt  to  run,  by  holding 
the  horses'  manes ;  the  cavalry  were,  also,  instructed, 
as  the  infantry  lay  flat  upon  the  ground,  to  gallop 
through  their  files.  The  grand  divisions  were  exer- 
cised in  the  manual,  and  firing  motions,  by  their 
respective  commanders,  but  they  were  forbidden  to 
teach  them  to  march  in  slow  time,  they  were  "  to  pay 
"  great  attention  to  the  instruction  of  their  men  in 
"  charging  with  their  bayonets,  in  which  case,  the 
"  charge  was  never  to  be  less  than  three  hundred  yards^ 
*'  gradually  increasing  in  celerity  from  its  first  outset, 


"takin 

" ranks 

" short 

" taugh 

"  grace 

"if  an 

"  ish  so 

"his  op 

"his  b{ 

"  certaii 

ted,  the 

ticularly 

the  ener 

shown  h 

on  the  s 

terials. 

Onth 

from  Oy 

able  to 

Generals 

shore. 

sons,  but 

Bay:  he 

Lt.  Cc 

centre  of 

course  h 

and  some 

clement, 

ent  house 

ters  woul 

on  the 


OF  TH       iUEEN'S  RANGERS. 


99 


imman- 
ftt  they 
!.    The 
ing  mo- 
)n  their 
ey  were 
,  trained 
raiUng, 
were  in- 
lets with 
al  at  the 
)ponents, 
ven  from 
■  running, 
tain  mark 
St  be  per- 
ith  undis- 
Huzzars, 
aunders, 
ind  acting 
»y  holding 
istructed, 
to  gallop 
ere  exer- 
by  their 
tbidden  to 
l-e  "  to  pay 
jir  men  in 
case,  the 
jred  yards, 
Irst  outset, 


"  taking  great  care  that  the  grand  division  has  its 
"  ranks  perfectly  close,  and  the  pace  adapted  to  the 
"  shortest  men.  The  soldier  is,  particularly,  to  be 
"  taught,  to  keep  his  head  well  up,  and  erect :  it  is 
"  graceful,  on  all  occasions,  but  absolutely  necessary 
'*  if  an  enemy  dare  stand  the  charge ;  when  the  Brit- 
"  ish  soldier,  who  fixes  with  his  eye  the  attention  of 
"  his  opponent,  and,  at  the  same  instant,  pushes  with 
"  his  bayonet  without  looking  down  on  its  point,  is 
"  certain  of  conquest."  When  the  weather  permit- 
ted, the  corps  was  frequently  exercised  together,  par- 
ticularly in  occupying  ground,  on  the  supposition  of 
the  enemy's  landing  to  attack  the  post ;  they  were 
shown  how  to  make,  and  navigate  rafts,  constructed 
on  the  simplest  principles,  and  witli  the  shghtest  ma- 
terials. 

On  the  18th  of  April,  a  party  of  Refugees  went 
from  Oyster  Bay,  being  furnished  with  arms,  agree- 
able to  an  order  from  head  quarters,  to  take  the 
Generals  Parsons  and  Silliman  from  the  opposite 
shore.  They  did  not  risk  the  attack  on  General  Par- 
sons, but  they  brought  Brigadier  Silliman  to  Oyster 
Bay  :  he  was  sent,  the  next  day,  to  New-York. 

Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  had  been  directed  towards  the 
centre  of  the  island,  to  enquire  into  a  supposed  inter- 
course held  with  Connecticut ;  he  had  the  Huzzars, 
and  some  infantry,  with  him.  The  weather  was  in- 
clement, and  the  troops  occupied  two  or  three  ditl'er- 
ent  houses :  such  precautions  were  taken  as  the  quar- 
ters would  admit  of  At  night,  the  advance  sentinel, 
on  the  Lieutenant-Colonel's  quarters,  fired.     The 


'■■■    :)■>:•-■ 

,  a  >*■       ..I.  c    I 

■  •'  :ii  ■  '■■<!■■ 


■%. 


S' 


w.".'' 


inl- 


mb\ 


i»  i-' 


100 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  OPERATIONS 


man  was  questioned  ;  he  persisted,  that  he  challenged 
three  or  four  men,  with  arms :  though  he  was  a  steady 
soldier,  it  appeared  so  improbable,  that  any  enemy 
could  be  in  Long  Island,  that  he  was  not  credited. 
It  was  afterwards  known,  that  a  party  of  twenty  men 
had  been  concealed  there,  in  hopes  to  take  some  offi- 
cer,  for  near  three  weeks,  and  that  could  they  have 
surprised  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe's  quarters,  it  was  meant  to 
have  attacked  them. 

On  the  2d  of  May,  the  Commander  in  Chief  was 
pleased  to  signify,  in  general  orders,  to  the  Provincial 
troops,  "  that  his  Majesty,  anxious  to  reward  their 
"  faithful  services,  and  spirited  conduct,  upon  several 
**  occasions,  has  been  pleased  to  confer  upon  them  the 
"  following  marks  of  his  Royal  favour."  The  articles 
were  then  enumerated,  and  were  all  material  to  that 
service  :  the  principal  were  :  "  That  the  officers  of 
"  Provincial  corps  shall  rank  as  juniors  of  the  rank  to 
"which  they  belong,  and  if  disabled  in  service,  should 
"be  entitled  to  the  same  gratuity  as  officers  of  the 
"  established  army ;  and,  to  distinguish  the  zeal  of 
"  such  regiments  as  shall  be  completed,  his  Majesty 
"  will,  upon  the  recommendation  of  the  Commander 
"  in  Chief,  make  the  rank  of  those  officers  permanent 
"  in  America,  and  will  allow  them  half-pay,  upon  the 
"  reduction  of  their  regiments,  in  the  same  manner  as 
"  the  officers  of  the  British  reduced  regiments  are 
"  paid."  In  consequence  of  this  order,  the  Queen's 
Rangers  were  recommended  by  the  Commander  in 
Chief,  and  styled,  and  numbered,  as  the  frst  Ameri- 
can regiment :  the  doubt  whether  they  came  under  the 


so 


lallenged 
a  steady 
y  enemy 
credited, 
enty  men 
some  offi- 
hey  have 
meant  to 

Chief  was 
Provincial 
vaxd  their 
on  several 
n  them  the 
'he  articles 
rial  to  that 
officers  of 
the  rank  to 
ice,  should 
:ers  of  the 
he  zeal  of 
is  Majesty 
lommander 
permanent 
r,  upon  the 
manner  as 
iments  are 
le  Queen's 
imander  in 
first  Ameri- 
e  under  the 


OF  THE  queen's  RA'*-    KRS, 


101 


letter  of  the  description,  as  they  were  not  at  present 
actually  complete,  was  graciously  explained,  by  his 
Majesty,  in  their  favour,  as  they  had  formerly  been 
so  ;  the  New- York  Volunteers,  and  the  Volunteers  of 
Ireland,  were,  at  the  same  time,  placed  upon  this 
establishment. 

The  Queen's  Rangers,  consisting  of  three  hundred 
and  sixty,  rank  and  file,  in  great  health  and  activity, 
left  their  cantonments  on  the  18th  of  May,  and,  by 
a  given  route,  arrived  at  Kingsbridge,  and  encamped 
there  on  the  27th,  and  formed  the  advance  of  the 
right  column  of  the  army,  which  marched  from  thence, 
on  the  29th,  to  a  position  extending  from  Phillip's 
house  to  East  Chester  heights  ;  Sir  William  Erskine 
commanding  the  cavalry,  and  Hght  troops,  he  en- 
camped, with  a  division  of  the  line,  and  the  light  troops, 
on  the  1st  of  May,  at  Dobb's  ferry.  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe 
marched,  on  the  3d  of  June,  to  Croton  bridge,  where 
the  enemy  had  been  collecting  the  cattle  of  the  coun- 
try, which  he  seized  upon ;  at  the  same  time,  he  cov- 
ered the  retreat  of  Lt.  Col.  Tarleton,  who  had  passed 
that  bridge  and  beat  up  the  quarters  of  a  party,  four 
miles  farther :  he  took  some  prisoners,  and  returned 
to  Dobb's  ferry:  On  the  Cth,  Sir  William  Erskine  fell 
back  towards  Valentine's  hill ;  the  Queen's  Rangers  en- 
camping at  Odle's  hill :  soon  after  they  formed  part 
of  the  escort  which  accompanied  the  Conunander  in 
Chief  to  the  White-plains.  On  the  24th  of  June,  the 
Queen's  Rangers,  and  I^cgion,  marched  by  different 
routes  to  Croton  bridge  ;  the  Queen's  Rangers  arriv- 
ing first,  and  being  discovered,  the  Iluzzars  attacked 
8 


■  ■'     ffrf !•■..'■  V*  A.' 


\ 


■  w-:  , . 


J  ■ 

—J''   'i 

Vmu  *: 


■<  \ 


m  V. 


102 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  OPERATIONS 


and  routed  a  small  patrole  of  the  enemy,  taking  a  few 
prisoners :  Lieutenant  Whitlock,  \vh«  >  was  on  a  piquet 
while  the  troops  halted  to  refresh  themselves,  ambus- 
caded a  patrole,  and  took  a  Captain,  and  some  pri- 
vates. The  Queen's  Rangers,  and  Legion,  marched 
to  North-castle,  and  lay  there  that  night :  the  enemy 
having  several  parties  in  the  neighbourhood,  before 
day,  Captain  Moncrief,  of  the  Rangers,  was  detached 
to  take  post,  without  discovering  himself,  in  a  wood, 
which  commanded  a  dangerous  pass  through  which 
the  troops  were  to  march ;  they  fell  back,  without 
molestation,  on  Colonel  Wurmb,  who  had  advanced 
to  the  White-plains  to  support  them,  and  returned, 
the  next  day,  with  him  to  the  army. 

The  army  marched,  on  the  8th  of  July,  in  two  co- 
lumns, to  Marmaroneck  ;  the  Queen's  Rangers  were, 
in  front  of  that,  on  the  right.  On  the  9th,  the  Com- 
mander in  Chief  marched  with  the  army  to  Byram's 
bridge  :  on  leaving  this  camp,  to  return  to  Marmaro- 
neck, the  next  day,  the  Queen's  Rangers  formed  the 
rear  guard.  Upon  this  march,  three  soldiers,  strag- 
gling at  a  small  distance  from  their  huts,  were  taken 
by  some  militia ;  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  expressed,  in  or- 
ders, "  that  he  is  most  sensibly  affected  at  the  loss  of 
"  the  three  men,  who  straggled  from  their  post  during 
"  the  last  march.  He  feels  himself  but  ill  repaid  for 
"  the  confidence  he  has  placed  in  the  regiment,  and 
"  his  inclination  to  ease  their  duty,  by  never  posting 
"  an  unnecessary  sentinel ;  at  the  same  time,  he 
"  trusts,  that,  as  this  has  been  the  first  instance  of  the 
"  kind  during  the  time  he  has  had  the  honor  of  cora- 


<( 


't: 


y  a  few 
I  piquet 
ambus- 
>me  pri- 
narched 
;  enemy 
,  before 
ietached 
a  wood, 
rh  which 
without 
advanced 
returned, 

a  two  co- 
rers  were, 
the  Com- 
Byram's 
Marmaro- 
armed  the 
rs,  strag- 
rere  taken 
cd,  in  or- 
the  loss  of 
ost  during 
repaid  for 
ment,  and 
er  posting 
time,  he 
ancG  of  the 
mx  of  com- 


OF  THE  queen's  rangers. 


103 


:■•  r';t. 


..•■^■■^■!« 


"  manding  the  Queen's  Rangers,  it  will  be  the  last ; 
"  find  that  the  soldiers  will  reflect  what  they  must  suf- 
"fer  by  a  long  imprisonment,  from  a  mean  and 
"  despicable  enemy,  who  never  has,  or  can  gain  any 
"  advfintage  over  them,  but  what  arises  from  their  own 
"disobedience  of  orders." 

Captain  Saunders,  patroHng  towards  Byram  brid<Tc, 
pursued  a  party  of  rebels.  Their  leader,  Colonel 
Thomas,  escaped,  by  quitting  his  horse  and  running 
into  a  swamp  :  he  had  his  parole  when  made  prisoner, 
the  year  before  ;  but  he  was  guilty  of  some  mal-prac- 
tices  on  Long  island,  and  made  his  escape,  pretending 
to  justify  his  breaking  of  his  parole  by  saying,  that 
he  understood  it  was  meant  to  imprison  him. 

An  ambuscade,  for  a  party  of  the  enemy's  militia, 
and  dragoons,  was  projected,  with  every  appearance 
of  success  ;  and  General  Vaughan,  having  approved 
of  it,  had  directed  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe,  and  Major  Delan- 
cey,  to  put  it  into  execution,  the  next  morning  ;  but, 
at  night,  the  firing  at  Vcrplank's-point  was  heard,  and 
the  news  of  the  capture  of  Stony-point  was  brought 
to  the  camp.  The  Commander  in  Chief  embarking 
for  Verplank's-point,  on  the  19th  of  July,  Colonel 
Birch  was  detached  from  General  Vaughan's  firmy, 
with  the  17tli  dragoons.  Queen's  Rangers,  and  Le- 
gion, to  make  a  display  of  force,  and  to  occupy  the 
heights  on  Croton  river,  above  Pine's  bridge.  The 
troops  made  great  fires,  and  every  demonstration  of 
their  being  in  force  ;  the  heights  they  occupied  were 
visible  from  Verplank's  and  Stony-point.  Two  of  the 
Rangers,  who  knew  the  country,  passed  the  Croton 


'■,.'..  if';'.''' 


i:: 


I 


■Xi\''\ 


y  \  -w 


tf  > 


*iM ' 


tHi 


104 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  OPERATIONS 


river,  and,   returning,   brought   information   that   a 
brigade  of  the  enemy's  mihtia  were  to  encamp,  in  the 
evening,  on  a  particular  spot,  within  three  or  four 
miles ;  that  provisions  were  prepared  for  them,  and 
that   there   was  not   the   smallest  suspicion  of  the 
King's  troops  being  in  the  neighbourhood ;  it  appear- 
ed evident  that  it  would  be  easy  to  surprise  and  de- 
stroy this  corps,  but  Colonel  Birch's  orders,  to  his 
great  regret,  were  positive  not  to  pass  the  Croton. 
On  the  20th,  the  troops  marched  back  to  Dobb's  fer- 
ry, where  the  army  had  arrived,  with  whom  they  re- 
turned, on  the  23d,  to  the  old  camp,  in  front  of  Val- 
entine's hill :  the  Queen's  Rangers  closing  the  rear  of 
the  left  column.    Major-General  Matthews  command- 
ed the  troops  in  the  new  camp ;  and  on  the  30th,  he 
directed  his  light  troops  to  make,  respectively,  strong 
patroles,  and  at  a  given  time,  and  to  a  prescribed 
point.    Lt.  Col.  Tarleton  on  the  right ;  Emmerick, 
and  Simcoe,  in  the  centre ;  and  the  Yagers  on  the 
left.     Lt.  Col.  Enniierick  fell  in  with  a  strong  party 
of  the  enemy's  cavalry,  who  charged  his  dragoons, 
which  retreated,  and  drew  them  into  an  ambuscade 
of  the  infantry,  upon  whose  Hring,  the  enemy  fled. 
Colonel  Wurmb,  and  Lt.  Col.  Sinicoc  heard  the  firing, 
and  pushed  to  cut  off  the  retreat  of  the  enemy,  which 
was  so  very  precipitate,  that,  after  a  long  pursuit,  only 
two  or  three  of  their  war  fell  into  the  hands  of  the 
Yagers. 

The  troops  fell  back  to  Kingsbridge :  tlu;  Queen's 
Rangers,  Emmcrick's,  and  the  Legion,  occupying  the 
same  position  they  had  done  the  year  belbre.    On 


the  int 
tenipte 
fusion, 
the  eve 


OF  THE  queen's  RANGERS. 


105 


-p  r:i|:. 


that   a 
,  in  the 
or  four 
m,  and 
of  the 
appear- 
and de- 
3,  to  his 
Croton. 
bb's  fer- 
they  re- 
of  Val- 
le  rear  of 
3nimand- 
30th,  he 
ly,  strong 
irescribed 
[unicrick, 
:s  on  the 
ng  party 
Iragoons, 
ubuscadc 
cniy  fled, 
he  tiring, 
ly,  which 
suit,  only 
Ids  of  tlio 

Queen's 
Ipyingthe 
lore.    On 


the  5th  of  August,  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe,  returning,  at  mid- 
night, from   New-York,  had  not  alighted  from  his 
horse,  when  a  Refugee  came  in,  from  Westchester, 
and  informed  him,  that  a  rebel  party  of  dragoons  had 
surprised  several  of  their  quarters,  had  taken  many 
prisoners,  and  that  he  had  escaped  in  the  confusion. 
Lieut.  Col.  Simcoe  called  "  to  arms,"  and  sent  to  the 
Legion,  and  Lt.  Col.  Emmerick,  to  join  him ;    he 
marched  immediately,  with  the  cavalry  of  the  three 
corps  :  Major  Cochrane  commanded  that  of  the  I^e- 
gion,  Lt.  Col.  Tarleton  being   in  New- York.    The 
infantry  was  directed  to  follow,  with  all  expedition  ; 
and  information  was  sent  to  Colonel  Wurmb.    The 
enemy  were  pursued  so  expeditiously,  that  most  of 
the  loyalists,  whom  they  had  taken,  escaped ;  and,  at 
New  Rochelle,  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe,  with  the  advanced 
guard,  overtook  Colonel  White,  who  commanded  the 
enemy,  with  his  rear  guard ;  they  fired  their  pistols 
at  the  Huzzars,  who  did  not  return  a  shot.     The 
cavalry  being  arrived.  Colonel  White  was  so  pressed, 
that  he  left  his  infantry,  and  passed  a  bridge :  the 
enemy's  infantry,  unable  to  attain   it,  threw  them- 
selves over  a  stone  wall,  close  to  the  left  of  the  road. 
This  bridge  was  a  mile  from  Marmnroneck  ;  wlunv, 
it  was  understood,  the  enemy  were  in  fon'o.     It  was 
obvious,  that  there  would  be  little  j)r<)bnbility  of  cut- 
ting oH*  White's  fatigued  ciivaliy,   uiil(\^s  the  lire  of 
the  infantry  couhl  be  pnssed  ;  lA.  Col.  Simcoe  at- 
tempted to  rush  past  it,  lioj)ing  that  tlui  enemy's  con- 
fusion, and  their  position  close  to  the  roiul,  would,  as 
the  event  just ifi(!(l,  hurry  them  to  give  their  fire  o6- 
8* 


.;|:\'-: 


106 


JOURNAL  OF  THK  OPERATIONS 


liquely ;  unluckily,  it  was  fatal  on  the  most  essential 
point ;  four  Huzzars,  and  five  horses,  being  either 
killed  or  disabled  in  the  front,  which  was  checked ; 
and,  at  the  same  time,  from  some  unknown  cause,  the 
rear  moved  about,  and  the  confusion  reached  to  the 
centre.  Lieut.  Col.  Simcoe,  in  this  disorder,  ordered 
Captain  Dicmar,  who  commanded  an  independent 
troop  of  Iluzzars,  which  followed  the  Queen's  Rang- 
ers, to  pass  the  wall  in  pursuit  of  the  enemy's  infantry, 
who  had  fled  from  it ;  he  did  so ;  and  Captain  James, 
with  his  troop,  and  others  of  the  Legion  followed  him, 
two  or  three  of  whom  without  orders,  and,  unsup- 
ported, passed  the  bridge,  and  were  killed  there.  Lt. 
Col.  Simcoe  tried  to  get  information  of  any  collateral 
road,  by  which,  without  passing  the  bridge,  he  could 
pursue  the  enemy,  who  naturally  supposing  that  the 
check  might  have  stopped  his  party,  would  be  induc- 
ed to  retreat  at  a  slower  rate  than  if  they  were  direct- 
ly pursued ;  but  he  could  procure  no  guide,  and,  in 
the  mean  time,  a  Refugee,  who  had  escaped,  brought 
certain  intelligence  that  the  enemy  were  unsupported 
by  any  infantry  but  those  with  whom  the  skirmish 
had  happened.  One  of  the  enemy  was  killed  by  their 
own  fire,  close  to  the  fence ;  two,  or  three,  by  Cap- 
tain Diomar,  in  the  pursuit,  others  were  drowned  in 
passing  the  creek  ;  and,  by  the  enemy's  gazette  it  ap- 
peared, "  that  driven  into  a  bad  position,  they  were 
"  comptjlled  to  tight  at  disadvantage,  and  lost  twelve 
"  men."  The  cavalry,  on  Captain  Dieinar's  return, 
inunediately  coniinued  the  pursuit  to  Ryram  bridge, 
beyond  which  it  was  not  prudent  or  useful  to  follow : 


•?:/'   .Fi'|.'r;!^i'-  ;■'  •-.I 


OF  THE  queen's  RANGERS. 


107 


'ssential 

or  cither 

licckcd ; 

luse,  the 

i  to  the 

,  ordered 

epcndeiit 

I's  Rang- 
infiintry, 

in  Jaines, 

iwed  him, 

i,  unsup- 

lere.    Lt. 
collateral 

,  he  could 

[T  that  the 
be  induc- 
erc  direct- 

le,  and,  in 

\,  brought 
supported 
skirmibh 
A  by  their 
by  C'ap- 
Irowned  in 
cttc  it  ap- 
they  were 
lost  twelve 
|ir's  return, 
lun  bridge, 
to  follow : 


some  more  of  the  loyalists  were  rescued,  but  none  of 
the  enemy  overtaken.  On  the  return,  the  cavalry 
were  divided,  by  trooi)s,  and  scoured  the  woods  back 
to  Marmaroncck,  but  without  effect ;  there  they  met 
with  the  British  and  Hessian  light  troops,  with  whom 
they  returned  to  camp. 

On  the  8th  of  August,  the  light  troops  fell  back  to 
the  redoubts  :  A  grand  guard  being  in  advance,  which 
reported  to  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe,  as  senior  officer  of  the 
Provincials,  the  Queen's  Rangers  were,  for  the  first 
time  since  they  left  winter  quarters,  permitted  to  take 
off  their  coats,  at  night,  until  further  orders :  in  case 
of  sudden  alarm,  they  w^ere  ordered  to  form  on  their 
company's  parade,  undressed,  with  silence  and  regu- 
larity ;  the  bayonets  were  never  to  be  unfixed.  The 
Commander  in  Chief  was  pleased  to  place  Captain 
Sandford's  troop  of  Buck's  county  dragoons  under 
the  command  of  Lieut.  Col.  Simcoe,  till  further  or- 
ders ;  Captain  Diemar's  Huzzars  w  ere  also  added  to 
his  command ;  and  this  whole  corps  marched  for  Oys- 
ter Bay  on  tlic  13th  of  August :  the  cavalry,  and 
cannon,  by  the  route  of  Ilell-gates,  and  the  infantry 
by  Frog's  neck,  where  they  embarked,  passed  over  on 
the  15th,  and  joining  the  cavalry,  arrived  at  Oyster 
Bay  on  the  17th. 

In  tiiis  interval,  the  officers,  connnanding  grand 
divisions,  were  ordered  to  make  their  men  perfect  in 
the  whole  of  the  mainial  exercise.  Serjeant  M'Pher- 
son,  a  corporal,  and  twelve  men,  were  selected,  and 
p'aced  under  the  conunand  of  Lieutenant  Shaw  :  they 
were  armed  with  swords  and  rilles  ;  and,  being  daily 


..;''::i. 


4/^>T 


108 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  OPERATIONS 


exercised  in  firing  at  objects,  soon  became  most  ad- 
mirable and  useful  marksmen. 

There  was  every  reason  to  believe  that  the  enemy 
meant  to  attack  some  of  the  posts  on  Long  Island ; 
that  at  Lloyd's  neck  had  been  the  object  of  frequent 
expeditions ;  and  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe's  orders  were  to 
assist  it,  in  case  of  necessity.  On  some  musketry 
being  fired  in  that  quarter,  at  midnight,  he  gallopped 
there  with  the  cavalry,  and  cannon ;  the  infantry  fol- 
lowed. The  alarm  proved  to  be  a  false  one ;  but 
Colonel  Ludlow,  who  commanded  that  post,  was  of 
opinion,  that  this  appearance  of  attention  might  pre- 
vent the  attack  on  it,  which  he  had  certain  informa- 
tion, was  seriously  intended  against  Long  Island,  a 
part  oniy  of  the  general  operations  meditated  against 
New- York  on  the  expected  arrival  of  D'Estaing,  with 
his  fleet,  from  the  West  Indies. 

On  the  9th  of  October,  it  was  hinted  to  Lieut.  C'ol. 
Simcoe,  to  hold  his  corps  in  readiness  for  embarka- 
tion. On  the  19th,  it  marched  for  that  purpose ;  the 
cavalry  to  Jericho,  where  they  were  to  remain  under 
the  conunand  of  Lieut.  Col.  Tarleton,  and  the  infant- 
ry to  .Tamaica,  which  proceeded  to  Yellow-hook,  and 
embarked  on  the  21th.  Earl  Cornwallis  commanded 
this  expedition,  consisting  of  the  7th,  23d,  22(\,  33d, 
57tli  regiments,  Rjingers,  and  Volunteers  of  Ireland 
commanded  by  F^ord  Kawdon;  it  was  supj)osod  to  be 
intended  for  .laniaica,  at  that  time  presumed  to  be 
threatened  with  an  invasion  from  M.  D'Estaing.  On 
intelligence  being  receiviul,  that  his  designs  were 
pointed  elsewhere,  the   troops  were  re-landed ;  and 


OF  THE  queen's  RANGERS. 


109 


lost  ad- 

I  enemy 
Island ; 
frequent 
were  to 
lusketry 
allopped 
intry  fol- 
3ne;  but 
,  was  of 
light  pre- 
informa- 
Island,  a 
id  against 
aing,  with 

Jeut.  Col. 
cmbarka- 
pose ;  the 
lain  under 
he  infant- 
hook,  and 
nunanded 
22d,  3:id, 
lof  Ireland 
joHod  to  be 
Iniod  to  be 
taing.     *'»! 
liaiis  were 
nded;  and 


were  ordered  to  continue  in  readiness  to  embark  at 
the  shortest  notice.  The  Queen's  Rangers  marched 
to  Richmond,  on  Staten  Island :  they  relieved  a  regi- 
ment which  had  been  very  sickly  while  there.  Lieut. 
Col.  Simcoe  immediately  ordered  their  huts  to  be  de- 
stroyed, and  encamped  his  corps  ;  Signals,  in  case  of 
alarm,  were  established  on  the  island  by  General  Pat- 
terson, who  commanded  there. 

There  was  a  general  rumour  of  an  intended  attack 
on  New- York.  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  had  information  that 
fifty  flat-boats,  upon  carriages,  capable  of  holding 
seventy  men  each,  were  on  the  road  from  the  Dela- 
ware to  Washington's  army,  and  that  they  had  been 
assembled  to  Van  Vacter's  bridge,  upon  the  Rariton. 
He  proposed  to  the  Commander  in  Chief  to  burn 
them.  Sir  Henry  Clinton  approved  of  his  plan,  as 
did  Earl  Cornwallis,  and  directed  it  to  be  put  into 
execution.  Colonel  Lee,  with  his  cavalry,  had  been 
at  Monmouth  :  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  upon  Lieut.  Col. 
Simcoe's  application  to  him  for  intelligence  of  this 
corps,  told  him,  that  by  the  best  information  he  had, 
Lee  was  gone  from  that  j)art  of  the  country.  There 
were  no  other  troops  in  the  vicinity  :  the  Jersey  mili- 
tia only,  and  those,  tunudtuously  assembled  ut  the 
moment  of  the  execution  of  the  enterprise,  could,  pos- 
sibly, impede  it.  The  coasts  of  Jersey  had  been  the 
common  receptacle  of  the  disaffected  from  Staten, 
Long,  and  York  island,  on  the  Rritish  troops  taking 
possession  of  them  ;  of  course,  they  were  most  viru- 
lent in  their  principles,  and,  by  the  custom  they  had 
of  attacking,  from  their  coverts,  the  Uritish  foraging 


''  •. ' . 


W'h 


'Ml' 


/'■S 


110 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  OPERATIONS 


parties,  in  1776,  and  insulting  their  very  out-posts, 
they  had  acquired  a  great  degree  of  self-confidence, 
and  activity.  Lieut.  Col.  Siincoe's  plan  was,  to  burn 
the  boats  with  as  much  expedition  as  possible ;  to  re- 
turn, with  silence,  to  the  heights  beyond  the  town  of 
Brunswick,  before  day  ;  there  to  show  himself,  to  en- 
tice all  who  might  follow  him  into  an  ambuscade  ;  and 
if  he  found  that  his  remaining  in  the  Jersies  could 
effect  any  valuable  purpose,  the  Commander  in  Chief 
proposed  to  reinforce  him.  To  execute  this  purpose, 
he  was  to  draw  his  cavalry  from  Jericho  in  Long 
Island,  by  easy  marches,  to  Staten  Island  ;  Stuart,  an 
active  and  gallant  man,  a  native  of  New-Jersey,  com- 
manded some  cavalry  on  that  island :  these  were  to 
be  Jidded  to  him  ;  and  he  recjucsted  ten  guides  :  three 
hundred  infantry  of  the  Queen's  Rangers,  with  their 
artillery,  were  also  to  accoujpany  him.  Tavo  days 
were  lost  by  a  misunderstanding  of  the  General's  or- 
der :  the  Huz/ars,  of  the  Queen's  Rangers  only,  being 
sent  from  Jericho,  without  C'a})tain  Sandford's  troop, 
which  was  not  merely  necessary  in  regard  to  nundiers, 
but  particularly  wished  for,  as  it  was  knoMn  that  Cap- 
tain Sandford,  when  (luarter-master  of  the  guards, 
had  frequently  been  on  foraging  parties  in  the  coun- 
try he  was  to  pass  through.  On  the  25th  of  Octo- 
ber, by  eight  o'clock  at  night,  the  detachment,  which 
has  been  detailed,  marched  to  IJillop's-point,  where 
they  were  to  embark.  That  the  enterprise  might  be 
effectually  concealed,  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  described  a  man, 
as  a  rebel  spy,  to  be  on  the  island,  and  endeavouring 
to  escape  to  New-Jersey ;  a  great  reward  was  offer- 


OF  THE  queen's  rangers. 


Ill 


ed  for  taking  him,  and  the  mihtia  of  the  island  were 
watching  all  the  places  where  it  was  possible  for  any 
man  to  go  from,  in  order  to  apprehend  him.  The 
batteaux,  and  boats,  which  were  appointed  to  be  at 
Billop's-point,  so  as  to  pass  the  whole  over  by  twelve 
o'clock  at  night,  did  not  arrive  till  three  o'clock  in  the 
morning.  No  time  was  lost ;  the  infantry  of  the 
Queen's  Rangers  were  landed:  they  ambuscaded 
every  avenue  to  the  town ;  the  cavalry  followed 
as  fast  as  possible.  As  soon  as  it  was  formed,  Lt. 
Colonel  Simcoe  called  together  the  officers  ;  he  told 
them  of  his  plan,  "  that  he  meant  to  burn  the  boats  at 
"  Van  Vacter's  bridge,  and  crossing  the  Rariton,  at 
"  Hillsborough,  to  return  by  the  road  to  Brunswick, 
"  and,  making  a  circuit  to  avoid  that  place  as  soon 
"  as  he  came  near  it,  to  discover  himself  when  beyond 
"it,  on  the  heights  where  the  Grenadier  Redoubt 
"  stood  while  the  British  troops  were  cantoned  there, 
"and  where  the  Queen's  Rangers  afterwards  had 
"  been  encamped ;  and  to  entice  the  militia,  if  possi- 
"  ble,  to  follow  him  into  an  ambuscade  which  the 
"  infantry  would  lay  for  them  at  South-river  bridge." 
Major  Armstrong  was  instructed  to  re-embark,  as 
soon  as  the  cavalry  marched,  and  to  land  on  the 
opposite  side  of  the  Rariton,  at  South-Amboy  :  he 
was  then,^with  the  utmost  despatch  and  silence,  to 
proceed  to  South-river  bridge,  six  miles  from  Soulh- 
Amboy,  where  he  was  to  ambuscade  himself,  without 
passing  the  bridge  or  taking  it  up.  A  smaller  creek 
falls  into  this  river  on  the  South-Amboy  side  :  into 
the  i»oninsula  formed  by  these  streams,  Lieut.  Col. 


-^:  ilf^lSt' 


■■'..■.'.-'«j'- '.f 


I 


112 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  OPERATIONS 


,r.  ■■. 


in  K  .r 


ur 


lil" 


Simcoe  hoped  to  allure  the  Jersey  militia.  In  case  of 
accident,  Major  Armstrong  was  desired  to  give  credit 
to  any  messenger  who  should  give  him  the  parole,  of 
"  Clinton  and  Montrose."  It  was  day-break  before 
the  cavalry  left  Amboy.  The  procuring  of  guides 
had  been  by  Sir  Henry  Clinton  entrusted  to  Brig.adier 
Skinner :  he  either  did  not  or  could  not  obtain  them, 
for  but  one  was  found  who  knew  perfectly  the  cross- 
road he  meant  to  take,  to  avoid  the  main  road  from 
Somerset-court  house,  or  Hillsborough,  to  Brunswick. 
Captain  Sandford  formed  the  advance  guard,  the  IIuz- 
zars  followed,  and  Stuart's  men  were  in  the  rear; 
making  in  the  whole  about  eighty.  A  Justice  CroAv 
was  soon  overtaken ;  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  accosted  him 
roughly,  called  him  "  Tory,"  nor  seemed  to  believe 
his  excuses,  when  in  the  American  idiom  for  courtship, 
he  said  "  he  had  only  been  sparking,"  but  sent  him 
to  the  rear  guard,  who,  being  Americans,  easily  com- 
prehended their  instructions,  and  kept  up  the  justice's 
belief  that  the  party  was  a  detachment  from  Wash- 
ington's army.  Many  plantations  were  now  passed 
by,  the  inhabitants  of  which  were  up,  and  whom  the 
party  accosted  with  friendly  salutations.  At  Quible- 
town,  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  had  just  quitted  the  advance 
guard  to  speak  to  Lieut.  Stuart,  when,  from  a  public 
house  on  the  turn  of  the  road,  some  people  came  out 
with  knapsacks  on  their  shoulders,  bearing  the  ap- 
pearance of  a  rebel  guard  :  Captain  Sandford  did  not 
see  them  till  he  had  passed  by,  when,  checking  his 
horse  to  give  notice,  the  Huzzars  were  reduced  to  a 
momentary  halt  opposite  the  house ;  perceiving  the 


IJ.^ 


'.f.>!l 


OF  THE  queen's  RANGERS. 


113 


1  case  of 
ve  credit 
arolc,  of 
k  before 
jf  guides 
Brigadier 
ain  them, 
the  cross- 
•oad  from 
Irunswick. 
,  theHuz- 
the  rear; 
tice  Crow 
josted  him 
to  believe 
f  courtship, 
It  sent  him 
easily  com- 
,hc  justice's 
om  Wash- 
low  passed 
whom  the 
At  Quible- 
le  advance 
.m  a  public 
Ic  came  out 
ling  the  ap- 
[ord  did  not 
necking  his 
jduced  to  a 
•ceiving  the 


supposed  guard,    they   threw  themselves   off  their 
horses,  sword  in  hand,  and  entered  the  house.    Lt. 
Col.  Simcoe  instantly  made  them  remount :  but  they 
were  afraid  to  discover  some  thousand  pounds  of 
paper-money  which  had  been  taken  from  a  passenger, 
the  master  of  a  privateer,  nor  could  he  stay  to  search 
for  it.     He  told  the  man,  "  that  he  would  be  answer- 
"  able  to  give  him  his  money  that  night  at  Brunswick, 
"  where  he  should  quarter ;"  exclaimed  aloud  to  his 
party,  "  that  these  were  not  the  Tories  they  were  in 
"  search  of,  although  they'had  knapsacks,"  and  told  the 
country  people  who  were  assembling  around,  "  that 
"  a  party  of  Tories  had  made  their  escape  from  Sul- 
"  livan's  army,  and  were  trying  to  get  into  Staten 
"  Island,  as  IlifF  (who  had  been  defeated,  near  this 
"  very  spot,  taken,  and  executed)  had  formerly  done, 
"  and  that  he  was  sent  to  intercept  them  :"  the  sight 
of  Justice  Crow  would,  probably,  have  aided  in  de- 
ceiving  the   inhabitants,  but,  unfortunately,  a  man 
personally  knew  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe,  and  an  express  was 
sent  to  Governor  Levingstone,  then  at  Brunswick,  as 
soon  as  the  party  marched.    It  was  nc»w  conducted 
by  a  country  lad  whom  they  fell  in  with,  and  to  whom 
Captain  Sandford,  being  dressed  in  red,  and  without 
his  cloak,  had  been  introduced  as  a  French  officer : 
he  gave  information,  that  the  greater   part  of  the 
boats  had  been  sent  on  to  Washington's  camp,  but 
that  eighteen  were  at  Van  Vacter's  bridge,  and  that 
their  horses  were  at  a  farm  about  a  mile  from  it :  he 
led  the  party  to  an  old  camp  of  Washington's  above 
Bound  brook.    Lt.  Col.  Simcoe'a  instructions  were  to 
9 


■ .'  ..■  A -if; '■"(•if- 

•       ■    . „  ■■    I"   i"    •    '. 


114 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  OPERATIONS 


■    ! 

i    ■' 

i 

'■   1 

f 

» 

1 

'i 

:  .*  ■ 
■  J- 

J' 

i 

1 

1 

^nm^i 


burn  these  huts,  if  possible,  in  order  to  give  as  wide 
an  alarm  to  the  Jersies  as  he  could.  He  found  it  im- 
practicable to  do  so,  they  not  being  joined  in  ranges, 
nor  built  of  very  combustible  materials.  He  pro- 
ceeded without  delay  to  Bound  brook,  from  whence 
he  intended  to  carry  off  Col.  Moyland,  but  he  was 
not  at  Mr.  Vanhorn's  :  two  officers  who  had  been  ill 
were  there ;  their  paroles  were  taken ;  and  they 
were  ordered  to  mark  "  sick  quarters"  over  the  room 
door  they  inhabited,  which  w  as  done ;  and  Mr.  Van- 
horn  was  informed,  that  the  party  was  the  advanced 
guard  of  the  left  column  of  the  army,  which  was 
commanded  by  General  Birch,  who  meant  to  quarter 
that  night  at  his  house ;  and  that  Sir  H.  Clinton  was 
in  full  march  for  Morris-town,  with  the  army.  The 
party  proceeded  to  Van  Vactur's  bridge  :  Lieut.  Col. 
Simcoe  found  eighteen  new  flat-boats,  upon  carriages ; 
they  were  full  of  water.  He  was  determined  effect- 
ually to  destroy  them.  Combustibles  had  been  appli- 
ed for,  and  he  received,  in  consequence,  a  few  port- 
fires ;  every  Huzzar  had  a  hand-grenade,  and  several 
hatchets  were  b/ought  with  the  party.  The  timbers 
of  the  boats  were  cut  through ;  they  wore  filled  with 
straw  and  railing,  and  some  grenades  being  fastened 
in  them,  they  were  set  on  fire :  forty  minutes  were 
employed  in  this  business.  The  country  began  to 
assemble  in  their  rear ;  and  as  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  went 
to  the  Dutch-meeting,  where  the  harness,  and  some 
stores,  were  reported  to  be,  a  rifle-shot  was  fired  at 
him  from  the  opposite  bank  of  the  river  :  this  house, 
with  a  magazine  of  forage,  was  now  consumed,  the 


OF  '/HE  queen's  rangers. 


115 


as  wide 

nd  it  im- 

1  ranges, 

He  pro- 

i  whence 

I  he  was 

d  been  ill 

and  they 

the  room 

Mr.  Van- 
advanced 

jrhich  was 

to  quarter 

linton  was 

■my.    The 

Lieut.  Col. 
carriages; 
led  efFect- 
leen  apph- 
few  port- 
ind  several 

|he  timbers 
filled  with 
ig  fastened 
lUtes  were 
began  to 
imcoc  went 
and  some 
as  fired  at 
this  house, 
isumed,  the 


commissary,  and  his  people,  being  made  prisoners. 
The  party  proceeded  to  Somerset  court-house,  or 
Hillsborough.  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  told  the  prisoners  not 
to  be  alarmed,  that  he  would  give  them  their  paroles 
before  he  left  the  Jersies ;  but  he  could  not  help 
heavily  lamenting  to  the  officers  with  him,  the  sinister 
events  which  prevented  him  from  being  at  Van 
Vacter's  bridge  some  hours  sooner,  as  it  would  have 
been  very  feasible  to  have  drawn  off  the  flat-boats  to 
the  South  river,  mstead  of  destroying  them.  He 
proceedec  to  Somerset  court-house ;  three  Loyalists, 
who  were  prisoners  there,  were  liberated ;  one  of 
them  was  a  dreadful  spectacle,  he  appeared  to  have 
been  almost  starved,  and  was  chained  to  the  floor ; 
the  soldiers  wished,  and  it  was  permitted  to  burn  the 
court-house:  it  was  unconnected  with  any  other 
building,  and,  by  its  flames,  showed  on  which  side  of 
the  Rariton  he  was,  and  would,  most  probably,  oper- 
ate to  assemble  the  neighborhood  of  Brunswick  at  its 
bridge,  to  prevent  him  from  returning  by  that  road : 
the  party  proceeded  towards  Brunswick.  Alarm 
guns  were  now  heard,  and  some  shots  were  fired  at 
the  rear,  particularly  by  one  person,  who,  as  it  after- 
wards appeared,  being  out  a  shooting,  and  hearing  of 
the  incursion,  had  sent  word  to  Governor  Levingstone, 
who  was  at  Brunswick,  that  he  would  follow  the  party 
at  a  distance,  and  every  now  and  then  give  a  shot, 
that  he  might  know  which  way  they  directed  their 
march.  Passing  by  some  houses,  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe 
told  the  women  to  inform  four  or  five  people  who 
were  pursuing  the  rear  "  that  if  they  fired  another 


■•'■'.'•  -.  ^'l 


"'■'•■*■■ 


;;  '-^^-iM 


■3  ' 


I 


.15' 


■m 


116 


J01TRNAL  OF  THE  OPERATIONS 


■j'  :•;'■■■ -^ 


"■it-:! 


(■■. 


"  shot,  he  would  burn  every  house  which  he  passed." 
A  man  or  two  were  now  shghtly  wounded.  As  the 
party  approached  Brunswick,  Lieut.  Col.  Simcoe 
began  to  be  anxious  for  the  cross  road,  diverging 
from  it  into  the  Prince-town  road,  which  he  meant  to 
pursue,  and  which  having  once  arrived  at,  he  himself 
knew  the  bye  ways  to  the  heights  he  wished  to  attain, 
where  having  frequently  done  duty,  he  was  minutely 
acquainted  with  every  advantage  and  circumstance  of 
the  ground :  his  guide  was  perfectly  confident  that  he 
was  not  yet  arrived  at  it ;  and  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  was 
in  earnest  conversation  with  him,  and  making  the 
necessary  enquiries,  when  a  shot,  at  some  little  dis- 
tance, discovered  there  was  a  party  in  the  front. 
He  immediately  galloped  thither ;  and  he  sent  back 
Wright,  his  orderly  serjeant,  to  acquaint  Captain 
Sandford  "  that  the  shot  had  not  been  fired  at  the 
"  party,"  when,  on  the  right  at  some  distance,  he 
saw  the  rail  fence  (which  was  very  high  on  both  sides 
of  the  narrow  road  between  two  woods)  somewhat 
broken  down,  and  a  man  or  two  near  it,  when  putting 
his  horse  on  the  canter,  he  joined  the  advance  men 
of  the  Huzzars,  determining  to  pass  through  this 
opening,  so  as  to  avoid  every  ambuscade  that  might 
be  laid  for  him,  or  attack,  upon  more  equal  terms. 
Colonel  Lee,  (whom  he  understood  to  be  in  the 
neighborhood,  and  apprehended  might  be  opposed  to 
him,)  or  any  other  party ;  when  he  saw  some  men 
concealed  behind  logs  and  bushes,  between  him  and 
the  opening  he  meant  to  pass  through,  and  he  heard 
the  words,  "  now,  now,"  and  found  himself,  when  he 


f-:  l^^^^y':'^ 


OF  THE  queen's  RAXGERS. 


117 


jassed." 
As  the 
Simcoe 
iverging 
neant  to 
}  himself 
io  attain, 
minutely 
stance  of 
at  that  he 
ftcoe  was 
iking  the 
little  dis- 
the  front, 
sent  back 
;  Captain 
ed  at  the 
tance,  he 
both  sides 
somewhat 
en  putting 
ance  men 
ough  this 
hat  might 
aal  terms, 
be  in  the 
)pposed  to 
!ome  men 
n  him  and 
he  heard 
f,  when  he 


recovered  his  senses,  prisoner  with  the  enemy,  his 
horse  being  killed  with  five  bullets,  and  himself  stun- 
ned by  the  violence  of  his  fall.  His  imprisonment, 
the  circumstances  which  attended  it,  and  the  indeli- 
ble impressions  which  it  has  made  on  his  memory, 
cannot,  even  at  this  distance,  be  repeated  without  the 
strongest  emotions :  as  they  merely  relate  to  personal 
history,  they,  with  his  correspondence  with  Sir  H. 
Clinton,  Governor  Levingstone,  Col.  Lee,  Gen.  Wash- 
ington, die.  Ace.  are  referred  to  the  appendix. 

Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  had  no  opportunity  of  communi- 
cating his  determination  to  any  of  his  officers,  they 
being  all  with  their  respective  divisions  ready  for 
what  might  follow  upon  the  signal  shot  of  the  enemy, 
and  his  resolution  being  one  of  those  .vhere  thought 
must  go  hand  in  hand  with  execution,  it  is  no  wonder, 
therefore,  that  the  party,  who  did  not  perceive  the 
opening  he  was  aiming  at,  followed  with  the  accelera- 
ted pace  which  the  front,  being  upon  the  canter,  too 
generally  brings  upon  the  rear  j  they  passed  the  am- 
buscade in  great  confusion :  three  horses  were  wound- 
ed, and  the  men  made  prisoners,  two  of  them  being 
also  wounded.  The  enemy  who  fired  were  not  five 
yards  off:  they  consisted  of  thirty  men,  commanded 
by  Mariner,  a  refugee  from  New  York,  and  well  known 
for  his  enterprises  with  whale-boats.  They  were 
posted  on  the  very  spot  which  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  had 
always  aimed  at  avoiding.  His  guide  misled  him: 
nor  was  the  reason  of  his  error  the  least  uncommon 
of  the  sinister  events  which  attended  this  incursion. 
When  the  British  troops  quitted  the  camp  at  Hills- 
9* 


:■  ;t.  •    ■  ■ 


.'."i  ,-. 'J.  ■■•:m".  .. 


.;|. 


v?- 


118 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  OPERATIONS 


i 


M 


irM 


borough,  and  marched  to  Brunswick,  among  other 
Iiouscs  which  were  unwarrantably  burnt  was  the  one 
whicli  the  guard  reUed  upon,  as  marking  out  the  pri- 
vate road  the  party  was  to  take  :  he  knew  not  of  its 
being  burnt,  and  that  every  vestige  had  been  destroy- 
ed, so  that  he  led  them  unintentionally  into  the  am- 
buscade ;  which  when  the  party  had  passed  by  on  the 
full  gallop,  they  found  themselves  on  the  high  grounds 
beyond  the  barracks  at  Brunswick.    Here  they  ral- 
lied ;  there  was  little  doubt  but  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  was 
killed :  the  surgeon,  (Mr.  Kellock,)  with  a  white  hand- 
kerchief, held  out  as  a  flag  of  truce,  at  the  manifest 
risk  of  his  hfe,  returned  to  enquire  for  him.    The 
militia  assembling.  Captain  Sandford  drew  up,  and 
charged  them,  of  course,  they  fled  :  a  Captain  Vor- 
hees,  of  the  Jersey  Continental  troops,  was  overtaken, 
and  the  Huzzar,  at  whom  he  had  fired,  killed  him. 
A  few  prisoners  were  taken.    Captain  Sandford  pro- 
ceeded to  the  South  river,  the  guides  having  recover- 
ed from  the  consternation.    Two  militia-men  only 
were  met  with  upon  the  road  thither :  they  fired,  and 
killed  MoUoy,  a  brave  Huzzar,  the  advance  man  of 
the  party,  and  were  themselves  instantly  put  to  death. 
At  South  river  the  cavalry  joined  Major  Armstrong ; 
he  had  perfectly  succeeded  in  arriving  at  his  post  un- 
discovered, and,  ambuscading  himself,  had  taken  sev- 
eral prisoners.     He  marched  back  to  South- Amboy, 
and  re-embarked  without  opposition,  exchanging  some 
of  the  bad  horses  of  the  corps  for  better  ones  which 
he  had  taken  with  the  prisoners.    The  alarm  through 
tlic  country  was  general ;  Wayne  was  detached  from 


9 


OF  THE  queen's  RANGERS. 


119 


T  other 
tlie  one 
the  pri- 
Dt  of  its 
destroy- 
the  am- 
ly  on  the 
grounds 
iiey  ral- 
icoe  was 
lite  hand- 
manifest 
im.    The 
up,  and 
lain  Vor- 
jvertaken, 
illed  him. 
[Iford  pro- 
e  recover- 
men  only 
ired,  and 
:e  man  of 
it  to  death, 
rmstrong ; 
is  post  un- 
taken  scv- 
h-Amboy, 
iiging  some 
jnes  which 
■m  through 
ached  from 


Washington's  camp  in  the  highlands,  with  the  hght 
troops,  and  marched  fourteen  miles  that  night,  and 
thirty  the  next  day ;  Colonel  Lee,  who  was  in  Mon- 
mouth county,  as  it  was  said,  fell  back  towards  the 
Delaware.  The  Queen's  Rangers  returned  to  Rich- 
mond that  evening  :  the  cavalry  had  marched  upwards 
of  eighty  miles,  without  halting  or  refreshment,  and 
the  infantry  thirty. 

In  the  distribution  of  quarters  for  the  remaining 
winter,  Richmond  was  allotted  to  the  Queen's  Ran- 
gers. This  post  was  in  the  centre  of  Staten  island, 
and  consisted  of  three  bad  redoubts,  so  constructed, 
at  various  times  and  in  such  a  manner,  as  to  be  of 
little  mutual  assistance  :  the  spaces  between  these  re- 
doubts had  been  occupied  by  the  huts  of  the  troops, 
wretchedly  made  of  mud ;  these  Lieut.  Col.  Simcoe 
had  thrown  down,  and  his  purpose  was  to  build  ran- 
ges of  log  houses,  which  might  join  the  redoubts,  and 
being  loop-holed,  might  become  a  very  defensible  cur- 
tain. Major  Armstrong  followed  the  plan,  and  set  the 
regiment  about  its  execution,  in  parties  adapted  to  the 
ditterent  purposes  of  felling  the  timber,  sawing  it,  and 
making  shikigles  for  the  roofings.  In  the  beginning  of 
December,  the  regiment  was  ordered  to  embark  ; 
which  order  was,  soon  after,  countermanded. 

On  the  last  day  of  December,  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  re- 
turned to  Staten  island,  from  his  imprisoinnent.  He 
was  mortified  to  find  the  expedition,  under  the  Com- 
mander in  Chief,  had  failed  ;  especially  as,  upon  his 
landing  at  Staten  island,  he  received  a  letter  from  Ma- 
jor Andre,  adjutant-general,  saying;  '4f  this  meets 


m. 


\ 


1 

1 

m 

1 

1 

! 
t 

1 

* 

1 

■■' 

■    '. 

f 

I 
I* 

f 

•■■'( 

ff 

\ 

:f. 

^'  ■  '  r 

I 

4 

1  , 

120 


JOITRNAL  OF  THE  OPERATIONS 


"you  a  free  man,  prepare  your  regiment  for  em- 
"barkation,  and  hasten  to  New  York  yourself." 
He  joined  his  corps  at  Richmond  ;  Major  Armstrong 
had  been  indefatigable  in  getting  the  regiment  hutted 
in  a  manner  which  rendered  their  post  both  comfort- 
able and  defensible  :  and  they  soon  found  the  advan- 
tages of  their  very  extraordinary  labours.  The  day 
which  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  passed  the  sound  was  the  last 
on  which  it  became  navigable  for  a  considerable  time, 
the  frost  setting  in  with  most  unusual  inclemency,  and, 
by  the  10th  of  January,  the  communication  with  New 
York  was  totally  shut  up  by  floating  ice ;  and  General 
Stirling  was  reduced  to  the  necessity  of  restraining 
the  troops  to  half  allow. iii<  of  provisions,  but  with 
every  precaution  to  impre  i<  inhabitants,  and  sol- 
diers, with  the  belief  that  v  !  ostriction  was  precau- 
tionary against  the  possibility  of  the  conununication 
being  closed  for  several  weeks  ;  and  care  was  taken 
to  investigate  what  resources  of  fresh  provisions 
might  be  obtained  from  the  island.  The  sound,  which 
divides  Staten  island  from  the  Jersies,  being  totally 
frozen  over  and  capable  of  bearing  cannon,  informa- 
tion was  received  that  several  of  the  rebel  Generals 
had  been  openly  measuring  the  thickness  of  the  ice, 
and  it  was  universally  rumored  that  an  attack  was 
soon  to  take  place  upon  Staten  island :  General  Stirling 
commanded  there,  and  he  was  with  the  maiii  body  at 
the  watering  place,  the  heights  of  which  were  occu- 
pied with  several  redoubts;  Colonel  Lord  Kawdon, 
with  the  volunteers  of  Ireland,  was  quartered  near  a 
redoubt  at  the  point  of  the  narrows ;  and  Lt.  Col. 


-.It 
V.  f 


OF  THE  QUEEN^S  RANGERS. 


121 


Simcoe  with  the  Queen's  Rangers,  at  Richmond  :  the 
whole  force  on  the  island  being  "nder  one  thousand 
eight  hundred  effective  men. 

On  the  15th  of  January,  early  in  the  morning,  the 
rebel  detachment  of  near  three  thousand  men,  under 
the  command  of  the  person  styled  Lord  Stirling, 
crossed  the  ice  and  entered  Staten  Island ;  Lord  Stir- 
ling marched  immediately  towards  the  landing  place, 
and  by  his  position  cut  off  General  Stirling's  commu- 
nication with  the  Volunteers  of  Ireland  and  the 
Queen's  Rangers.  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  occupied  the  high 
grounds  near  Richmond  with  small  parties  of  caval- 
ry, and  the  infantry  were  sedulously  employed  in 
what  might  strengthen  that  post ;  there  were  three 
pieces  of  cannon  (a  nine  and  two  six-pounders) 
mounted  on  platforms,  without  embrasures,  in  the 
redoubts :  these  were  pointed  at  the  eminences, 
where  it  was  expected  the  enemy  would  first  appear, 
and  where  the  stones  were  collected  in  heaps,  so  that 
8  round  shot,  if  it  struck  among  them,  might  have  the 
effect  of  grape.  If  batteries,  or  any  cannon,  should 
be  opened  against  Richmond,  it  was  obvious  these 
guns  must  be  dismounted :  they  were,  therefore,  not 
intended  to  be  exposed  to  such  accidents,  but  the 
redoubt  on  the  right  was  meant,  on  the  first  appear- 
ance of  assault,  to  be  abandoned,  and  its  area  filled 
with  abatis  which  were  provided,  and  its  gate  left 
open  and  exposed  to  the  fire  of  the  cannon  of  the 
otiier  redoubts  placed  at  their  respect ivo  gates,  of  the 
two  rogiment.il  field  pieces,  and  of  the  musketry 
from  the  doors,  windows,  and  loop-lioles  of  the  bar- 


■■'■  ';^\-\:;'- 
,  -t^i  ■'■:::■■'•■ 


m 


■,  *.■•(,■■ 


M  , 


'    t 


122 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  OPERATIONS 


racks.  Tlie  officers'  barracks,  which  were  within  the 
triangular  area  formed  by  those  of  the  soldiers  and 
the  redoubts,  were  intended  to  be  taken  down,  and 
the  logs  of  which  tliey  were  composed  were  to  be 
heaped  within  a  hut,  and  to  form  a  traverse  on  a  part 
exposed  to  the  enemy.  The  rear  of  the  works  were 
secured  by  their  position  on  the  edge  of  the  hill  from 
any  possibility  of  attack,  and  some  of  the  huts,  which 
ran  below  the  surface  of  it,  were  in  perfect  safety  from 
any  shot  whatsoever,  and  nearly  so  from  shells, 
against  the  splinters  of  w  hicli  their  logs  were  very 
respectable  traverses.  There  was  a  gun-boat,  which 
was  frozen  up  in  the  creek,  at  the  foot  of  Richmond 
Hill :  this  gun  was  elevated  so  as  to  fire  a  single 
round  of  grape  shot ;  some  swivels  also  were  brought 
into  the  redoubts.  Spike  nails,  which  there  were  a 
quantity  for  the  barrack  purposes,  were  driven  through 
boards,  ready  to  be  concealed  under  the  snow  in  places 
which  were  most  accessible ;  all  the  cattle  in  the 
neighbourhood  were  brought  into  the  precincts  of  the 
garrison,  as  were  the  sledges,  harness  and  horses,  and 
the  most  cheerful  and  determined  appearance  of  re- 
solution ran  through  the  whole  corps.  About  mid- 
day, many  deserters  came  in  from  the  rebel  army  ;  by 
them  a  perfect  knowledge  of  the  enemy's  force  was 
gained  :  and  one  of  them  affirmed  that  he  overheard 
some  of  their  principal  officers  say,  "  That  it  was  not 
"  worth  while  to  attack  liiciimond  where  they  were 
"  sure  of  obstinate  resistance,  and  which  must  fall  of 
"  itself  whenever  the  main  body  was  taken." 

Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  was  anxious  to  communicate  with 


V'H 


■:    ■:  ■''  '■  .1   .1:" 


OF  THE  queen's  RANGERS. 


123 


thin  the 
ers  and 
vvn,  and 
re  to  be 
n  a  part 
•ks  were 
liill  from 
s,  which 
fety  from 
n  shells, 
^ere  very 
at,  which 
liclunond 
a  single 
B  brought 
re  were  a 
in  through 
V  in  places 
tie  in  the 
icts  of  the 
orses,  and 
ncc  of  re- 
bout  mid- 
army  ;  by 
brce  was 
overheard 
it  was  not 
they  were 
iiust  fall  of 

I." 

licatc  with 


Lord  Rawdon,  and  to  obtain  any  intelligence,  or  or- 
ders, his  lordship  might  have  for  him :  he  sent  his 
adjutant,  Lt.  Ormond,  with  directions  to  get  some  of 
the  militia,  to  convey  a  letter  for  that  purpose,  by  the 
sea  shore.  Some  scattering  parties  of  the  enemy 
had  been  that  way,  on  which  account  Lieut.  Ormond 
could  get  no  one  to  venture,  he  therefore  went  him- 
self, and  putting  on  coloured  clothes  that  he  might  not 
be  distinguished,  in  case  of  any  small  parties  lying 
in  ambuscade,  he  got  safely  to  the  flag-staff',  and  re- 
turned without  discovery.  The  rebels  making  no 
attempt  in  the  day  time  upon  the  redoubts,  where 
General  Stirling  was,  led  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  to  conclude 
that  they  waited  for  cannon  or  more  forces,  and  meant 
to  storm  them  at  night  or  the  next  morning ;  for, 
though  no  person  could  hold  more  cheaply  than  he 
thought  himself  authorised  to  do,  those  men  on  whom 
the  enemy  had  conferred  the  office  and  title  of  Gen- 
erals, it  appeared  totally  unreasonable  that  having  so 
well  chosen  the  moment  of  invading  tiie  island,  they 
had  no  determined  point  to  carry,  or  had  neglected 
the  proper  means  to  ensure  its  .success.  On  these 
ideas,  he  desired  Col.  Billop,  (who  commanded  tlie 
militia  of  Staten  Island,)  to  get  them  to  assemble  to 
garrison  Richmond ;  but  neither  entreaties,  the  full 
cxphuiation  of  the  advantage  such  a  conduct  would 
be  of,  nor  the  personal  example  of  Col.  Billop,  had 
anyetlbct:  not  a  man  could  Ix;  prevailed  upon  to 
enter  the  garrison.  They  assembled  to  drink  at 
various  public  houses,  and  to  luMir  the  news,  or  were 
busy  in  providing  for  the  temporary  security  of  their 


i'': 


■  ■   .''',1.-  i^iv  ■•■ 


m, 


I 


124 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  OPERATIONS 


1    '  -    ii     '•  ■  ■   • 


■i' 


i^l^M^ 


■1 


'If: 


I' 


•  i 


.  ■!,, 


!# 


cattle  and  effects ;  and  these  were  not  disaffected  per- 
sons, but  men  who  were  obnoxious  to  the  rebel 
governors,  many  of  them  refugees  from  the  Jersies, 
some  who  had  every  reason  to  expect  death,  if  the 
enemy  succeeded,  and  all  the  total  destruction  of 
their  property.  Lieut.  Col.  Simcoe  was  therefore 
obliged  to  lay  aside  his  intentions,  which  were  to 
march  with  his  cavalry,  carrying  muskets,  with  as 
many  infantry  as  he  could  justify  the  taking  from 
Richmond,  with  his  field  pieces  in  sledges,  together 
with  the  swivels  fixed  upon  blocks,  and  to  get  near 
the  enemy  undiscovered,  and  to  make  as  great  an 
alarm  and  as  much  impression  as  possible  upon  their 
rear,  whensoever  they  attempted  to  storm  the  British 
redoubts.  All  the  roads  between  Richmond  and  the 
head  quarters,  led  through  narrow  passes,  and  below 
the  chain  of  hills :  these,  where  they  had  been  beaten 
only,  were  passable,  the  ground  being  covered  with 
several  feet  of  snow,  so  that  no  patrolcs  were  made 
during  the  night,  which  would  have  been  useless  and 
dangerous ;  and  the  cavalry  were  assembled  within 
the  redoubts :  the  night  was  remarkably  cold.  A 
person  from  the  Jersies  brought  the  report  of  the 
country,  that  Washington  was  expected  the  next  day, 
at  Elizabethtown,  and  that  straw,  &c.  was  sent  to 
Statcn  Island.  He  went  back  again,  commissioned 
by  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe,  to  observe  what  stores  were  in 
Elizabethtown,  and  particularly  to  remark  what  air- 
holes were  in  the  ice  on  the  sound  between  the  mouth 
of  Richmond  Creek  and  Elizabethtown,  as  it  was  in- 
tended, if  nothing  material  intervened  before  the  next 


OF  THE  queen's  RANGERS. 


125 


:ed  per- 

3  rebel 

Jersies, 

1,  if  the 

ction  of 

herefore 

were  to 
with  as 

ing  from 
together 
get  near 
great  an 

ipon  their 

he  British 

d  and  the 

and  below 

3en  beaten 

vered  with 
rere  made 

[iseless  and 
>led  within 
cold.     A 
,ort  of  the 
le  next  day, 
as  sent  to 
imissioned 
Ires  were  in 
„  what  air- 
In  the  mouth 
9  it  was  in- 
fore  the  next 


night,  to  send  Capt.  Stephenson  with  a  detachment 
to  burn  Eiizabethtown,  and  to  give  an  alarm  in  the 
Jersies. 

The   intelligence  which  this  zealous    and   trust- 
worthy loyalist  brought  was  very  probable :  the  mak- 
ing a  winter  campaign  in  America  had  always  appear- 
ed to  Lt.  f  ■   Simcoe  a  matter  of  great  facility,  and 
by  frequeiuiy  ruminating  upon  it,  he  was  alive  to  the 
advantages  which  would  attend  Mr.  Washington  in  its 
prosecution.    He  would  without  hesitation  have  aban- 
doned the  post  of  Richmond,  and  joined  Lord  Raw- 
don,  or  Gen.  Stirling,  taking  on  himself  all  conse- 
quences, had  it  not  appeared  to  him  that  the  possession 
of  Richmond  would  insure  to  Mr.  Washington  a  safe 
retreat,  even  should  the  ice  become  impassable,  and 
would  probably  inculcate  on  him  the  propriety  of  his 
seriously  attempting  to  keep  Staten  Island  at  this  very 
critical  period,  when  the  Commander  in  Chief  was 
absent  with  the  greatest  part  of  the  army,  and  the 
troops  in  New-York,  under  Gen.  Kniphausen,  were 
probably  not  in  a  capacity  to  quit  it  and  take  the 
field :  particularly  as  in  that  case,  the  nominal  miUtia 
whose  numbers  were  so  well  displayed,  as  sufficient 
to  garrison  it,  must  for  the  greater  part  have  melted 
away  in  their  attendance  on  the  army,  to  whose  vari- 
ous departments  tlioy  in  general  belonged. 

Mr.  Washington  might  without  difficulty  have  as- 
sembled from  tiic  smaller  creeks,  and  even  from  tlu' 
Delaware,  and  Hudson's  river,  a  multitude  of  boats, 
which,  while  the  snow  was  upon  the  ground,  might  be 
conveyed  over-land  to  the  Staten  Island  Sound ;  and 
10 


■     '•■-!)''','.. 


s^. 


126 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  OPERATIONS 


I  }  ,''|!  .■  ;■  f' 


with  these,  added  to  those  which  attended  his  army, 
he  might  transport  his  troops  or  form  bridges,  secur- 
ing all  approaches  to  them  from  the  water,  by  batter- 
ies constructed  on  the  Jersey  shore,  while  by  other 
attacks  and  preparations,  he  certainly  could  have 
thrown  great  difficulties  in  the  way  of  Gen.  Kniphau- 
sen,  and  the  British  army  in  the  three  islands.  Lt. 
Col.  Simcoe,  reasoning  on  the  possibility  of  these 
events,  waited  to  be  guided  by  circumstances.  If  Gen. 
Stirling  could  hold  out,  and  was  neither  overwhelmed 
by  numbers,  or  reduced  by  famine,  which  was  most 
to  be  dreaded,  it  was  obvious  Richmond  would  be 
safe :  if  matters  happened  otherwise,  he  was  perfect- 
ly certain,  from  Lord  Rawdon's  character,  that  he 
should  receive  some  directions  from  him,  who  would 
never  remain  in  an  untenable  post,  with  the  certainty 
of  being  made  prisoner  ;  and  at  all  events  Lieut.  Col. 
Simcoe  determined,  in  case  Gen.  Stirling  should  be 
defeated,  and  that  he  should  receive  no  orders,  he 
would  attempt  to  escape ;  for  since  the  rebels  had 
shown  a  total  defect  in  every  private  and  public  prin- 
ciple of  honour,  when  they  violated  the  convention 
with  Gen.  Burgoyne's  army,  he  and  the  officers  of 
the  Queen's  Rangers  had  determined  in  no  situation 
to  surrender,  where  by  escaping,  if  it  should  be  but  a 
mile  into  the  country,  the  corps  could  disband  itself 
individually,  and  separately  attempt  to  rejoin  the 
British  armies ;  proper  inducements  being  held  out 
to  the  soldiers,  and  great  aid  being  reasonably  to  be 
expected  from  the  loyal  inhabitants,  scattered  through- 
out every  colony,  and  in  very  great  numbers.     This, 


■■A' 

'IV . 


s  army, 
5,  secur- 
f  batter- 
)y  other 
lid  have 
iniphau- 
ads.    Lt. 
of  these 
i.  If  Gen. 
rwhelmed 
was  most 
would  be 
LS  pcrfect- 
r,  that  he 
^rho  would 
3  certainty 
Lieut.  Col. 
should  be 
orders,  he 
rebels  had 
)ublic  prin- 
convention 

officers  of 
[10  situation 
uld  be  but  a 
isband  itself 

rejoin  the 
ng  held  out 
)nably  to  be 
red  through- 
bers.    This, 


OF  THE  queen's  RANGERS. 


127 


which  had  been  his  common  conversation  and  steady 
resolution,   in  case  of  any  unfortunate  events,  was 
now  determined  on  by  Lieut.  Col.  Simcoe  :  his  ideas 
were  to  forerun  all  intelligence,  and  to  attempt  to 
surprise  Col.  Lee,  at  Burhngton,  and  then  to  escape 
to  the  back  countries.    For  this  purpose,  he  had 
sledges  which  could  carry  a  hundred  men,  and  he  had 
no  doubt  of  soon  increasing  them  in  the  Jersies,  to  a 
number  sufficient  to  convey  the  whole  corps ;  the 
attempt  was  less  dangerous  in  itself,  and  less  injuri- 
ous, if  it  failed,  to  the  community,  than  the  certainty 
of  being  destroyed  by  heavy  artillery,  of  ultimately 
surrendering,  of  mouldering  in  prison,  and  becoming 
lost  to  all  future  service  to  their  king  and  country. 
There  was  no  corps  between  General  Washington's 
army,  and  that  of  Lincoln  hastening  into  Charles- 
town,  but  Col.  Lee's :  when  once  in  possession  of  his 
horses,  there  was  little  doubt  in  the  mind  of  Lt.  Col. 
Simcoe,  and  the  officers  to  whom  he  communicated 
his  ideas,  but  that  he  should  effijct  his  retreat  into 
the  back  parts  of  Pennsylvania,  join  his  friends  there, 
probably  release  the  Convention  army,  and  not  im- 
possibly join  the  commander  in  chief,  in  Carolina. 
Full  of  these  ideas,  it  was  with  great  surprise  and 
pleasure,  that  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  understood  the  enemy 
were  retreating  from   the  island.     He  immediately 
pursued  them  with  the  flank  companies  and  Huzzars ; 
and  was  overtaken  by  an  order  from  General  Stirling 
to  effect  the  same  purpose  ;  but  the  enemy  had  pass- 
ed to  the  Jersey  shore  before  he  could  come  up  with 
them.    While  the  troops  in  the  enemy's  front,  on 


•;  'S' 


■I".     IT    i  .N.riT  •> 


r,'i  '.:■  ■■■■■■  ■■; 


If 


!»•.';. 


128 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  OPERATIONS 


*; :  if : 


■ 

I 


11 


r  ■ 

t 


■■n'.^i-\ 


their  arrival  at  the  heights  opposite  to  the  British  re- 
doubts, halted  for  the  rear  to  close  up,  they  were 
permitted  to  make  fires,  which  increased  the  power 
of  the  frost,  and  rendered  them  totally  unable  to  pro- 
ceed, and  the  severity  of  the  night  aflecting  the 
whole  of  them,  many  lost  their  limbs,  and  several 
their  lives.  There  were  vast  mounds  of  snow  drifted 
before  the  redoubts,  which  Lord  Stirling  gave  as  his 
reason  for  not  attempting  them ;  and  General  Knip- 
hausen,  on  the  first  signal  of  Staten  Island  being 
attacked,  embarked  troops  to  support  it.  The  ene- 
my in  the  dark  of  the  evening  saw  these  vessels, 
(which,  whether  the  passage  could  be  effected  or  not, 
were  wisely  directed  to  be  kept  plying  off  and  on,) 
but  they  did  not  wait  to  see  if  they  could  reach  the 
island,  which  in  fact  the  drifting  ice  prevented,  but 
immediately  determining  to  retreat,  they  effected  it 
the  next  morning,  losing  many  men  by  desertion,  and 
many  British  soldiers,  who  had  enlisted  with  them  to 
free  themselves  from  imprisonment,  embraced  the 
opportunity  of  being  in  a  country  they  were  acquaint- 
ed with,  to  return  to  their  old  companions.  The 
Queen's  Rangers  obtained  a  great  many  recruits  ;  and 
it  is  very  remarkable  that  neither  that  corps,  or  the 
Volunteers  of  Ireland  had  a  single  man  who  deserted 
from  them,  while  there  were  such  opportunities  and 
apparent  reasons  to  do  it.  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  on  his 
return  from  Elizabethtown  Point,  where  the  enemy 
passed,  had  information  that  a  party  of  plunderers 
had  crossed  from  the  Jersies  to  the  other  end  of  the 
island ;  he  detached  the  Huzzars  in  pursuit  of  them, 


but  th 

togetl 

many 

my  w( 

rior  fo 

greate 

on  all 

proach 

Range] 

Stirling 

now  in 

proof  c 

general 

"Gen. 

"  island 

"  approl 

"  tenanc 

"  island, 

"  mande 

"thanks 

Col.  Sir 

"  expec 

"  sleepi 

"  such 

"  mandi 

"  the  du 

"  disobi 

"  sione 

"to  the 

"duty. 

"  seeins 


t'i 


■  k 


OF  THE  queen's  RANGERS. 


129 


but  they  fled,  on  the  Staten  Island  miUtia  collecting 
together.  The  frost  still  continuing,  there  were 
many  reports  and  a  general  expectation  that  the  ene- 
my would  again  adventure  upon  the  island,  with  supe- 
rior force,  with  sufficient  provision  to  attempt  some 
greater  purpose ;  and  patroles  were  constantly  made 
on  all  the  roads,  by  which  they  could  possibly  ap- 
proach, by  order  of  Gen.  Stirling.  The  Queen's 
Rangers  had  formerly  experienced  how  ready  Gen. 
Stirling  was  to  represent  their  services ;  and  they, 
now  in  common  with  the  other  troops,  had  a  further 
proof  of  his  good  inclinations,  it  being  inserted  in  the 
general  orders  of  the  21st  of  January,  "  Brigadier 
"  Gen.  Stirling  is  happy  to  inform  the  troops  on  this 
"  island,  of  his  Excellency  Gen.  Kniphausen's  fullest 
"  approbation  of  their  behaviour,  and  the  good  coun- 
"  tenance  they  showed  when  the  rebels  were  upon  this 
"  island,  which  the  brigadier  had  reported  to  the  Com- 
"mander  in  Chief;  and  his  Excellency  desires  his 
"  thanks  may  be  given  to  them."  On  the  25th  Lieut. 
Col.  Simcoe  gave  out  the  following  order :  "  That  he 
"  expects  the  order  relative  to  officers  and  soldiers 
"  sleeping  in  their  clothes  be  strictly  complied  with, 
"  such  recruits  excepted,  whom  the  officers  com- 
"  manding  companies  may  judge  as  yet  unequal  to 
"  the  duties  of  the  regiment ;  if  any  half-bred  soldier 
"  disobeys  this  order,  the  first  officer,  or  non-commis- 
"  sioned  officer,  who  meets  with  him,  will  deliver  him 
"  to  the  officer  on  guard  to  be  put  on  some  internal 
"  duty.  The  Lt.  Col.  has  particular  satisfaction  in 
"  seeing  the  General's  approbation  of  that  good 
10* 


}  ^J\ 


?l 


1 


130 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  OPERATIONS 


im 


"  countenance  whicli  enjibled  him,  on  the  late  inroad 
"  of  the  enemy,  to  rest  perfectly  at  ease,  without 
"  augmenting  the  duty  of  the  regiment ;  he  knows  its 
"  universal  spirit,  and  certain  from  the  fidelity  of  those 
"on  guard,  that  the  garrison  cannot  be  snatched 
"  away  by  surprise,  is  confident  that  Richmond  re- 
"  doubts  will  be  too  dear  for  the  whole  rebel  army  lo 
"  purchase." 

Soon  after  the  rebel  army  returned  to  their  former 
winter  quarters,  a  very  important  enterprise  suggest- 
ed itself  to  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe ;  he  understood  by  de- 
serters and  other  intelligence,  that  Mr.  Washington 
was  quartered  at  a  considerable  distance  from  hif^ 
army,  or  any  corps  of  it,  and  nearer  to  New- York  : 
by  the  maps  of  the  country,  and  all  the  information 
he  could  collect,  he  thought  that  it  would  not  be  dif- 
ficult to  carry  him  otf.  He  communicated  his  ideas 
to  a  gentleman,  who  had  been  persecuted  by  the  re- 
bels, and  whose  family  had  been  the  object  of  their 
cruel  resentment,  for  his  early  and  uniform  loyalty, 
and  by  his  assistance,  a  very  minute  and  perfect  map 
of  the  country  was  drawn.  Some  few  particulars 
were  necessary  to  be  ascertained,  which  a  trusty  per- 
son was  sent  out  to  inquire  into,  but  w  ithout  any  idea 
being  given  to  him  that  might  lead  him  to  guess  at 
the  enterprise,  which  was  only  made  known  to  Capt. 
Shaw,  of  the  Queen's  Rangers,  until  the  31st  of  Janu- 
ary, when,  preparatory  to  the  necessary  application 
to  Generals  Tryon  and  Kniphausen,  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe 
communicated  his  ideas  to  Gen.  Stirling,  which,  as 
appears  by  his  letter  in  the  appendix,  met  with  his 


i^ 


■■'     .r^;,(.. 


OF  THE  queen's  RANGERS. 


131 


inroad 
vithout 
lows  its 
)f  those 
Hatched 
ond  re- 
iriuy  to 

•  former 
suggest- 
L  by  de- 
shingtou 
from  hii^ 
w-York : 
ormation 
ot  be  dit- 
his  ideas 
f  the  re- 
t  of  their 
I  loyalty, 
rfect  map 
articulars 
fusty  per- 
aiiy  idea 
guess  at 
I  to  Capt. 
of  Janu- 
)pUcatioii 
.  Simcoe 
which,  as 
with  his 


full  approbation.  Lieut.  Col.  Simcoe's  plan  was  to 
march  by  very  secret  ways,  made  the  more  so  by  the 
inclement  season,  and  to  arrive  near  Gen.  Washing- 
ton's quarters  by  day-break,  to  tie  up  his  horses  in 
a  swamp,  and  to  storm  the  quarters,  and  attack  his 
guard  on  foot :  for  this  purpose,  his  party  were  to 
carry  mu&kets  as  well  as  swords,  and  he  meant  it  to 
consist  of  eighiy  men,  indiscriminately  taken  from 
the  cava>ry  or  infantry,  with  an  Officer,  besides  those 
of  the  sUft*,  to  every  six  men,  and  he  was  to  select 
those  he  should  command.  The  party  were  to  halt 
at  two  cottages  in  u  wood,  if  thf?y  should  arrive  be- 
fore the  appointed  time.  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  waited  for 
his  conclusive  informatio'^i  with  great  impatience,  and 
in  his  conversations  witii  Capt.  S'  iw  always  express- 
ed his  sanguine  V.cpcS,  almost  his  certainty  of  success ; 
his  only  appreh*  nsion  being  in  case  Mr.  W'  shington 
should  personally  resist,  by  what  means  he  couid  bring 
him  off,  and  preserve  his  life  ;  when,  to  his  great  sur- 
prise, his  Huzzars  were  ordered  to  march  with  a  con- 
voy over  the  ice  to  New-York.  It  should  seem,  the 
same  negligence  in  Gen.  Washington's  quartering  in 
front  of  his  army,  had  attracted  the  notice  of  Capt. 
Beckwith,  Gen.  Kniphausen's  Aid-du-camp,  and  he 
had  formed  a  plan  to  carry  off  that  general ;  for  which 
purpxi- :.  cavalry  were  collected  at  New- York,  aiad 
among  others,  Captain  Beckwith  obtained  the  Huz- 
zars of  the  Queen's  Rangers,  of  whom  he  had  a  good 
1  >i!inion,  as  he  often  accompanied  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  in 
the  patroles  he  had  mac'e  from  Kingsbridge.  Briga- 
bier  Gen.  Stirling  communicated  to  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe 


'^ 


<,'.' 


-i 


■.#  f.,    :„■         ■ 


v 


i*-^- 


^M  - 


J.' 


132 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  OPERATIONS 


'4  ■ 


the  purpose  for  which  his  cavalry  was  withdrawn,  as 
it  was  intended  that  a  general  movement  from  Staten 
Island  should  favour  the  enterprise.  Since  it  did  not 
take  place  on  so  large  a  scale  as  was  at  first  designed, 
Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  received  orders  "  to  send  a  party  to 
"  surprise  the  enemy's  post  at  Woodbridge  or  Rah- 
"  way,  and  to  give  a  general  alarm  :"  this  party  was 
to  cross  the  ice  at  one  o'clock  in  the  morning,  and  not 
to  return  till  nine  or  ten.  Accordingly,  Lt.  Col.  Sim- 
coe passed  the  ice  with  two  hundred  infantry,  at  one 
o'clock ;  Major  Armstrong  with  some  infantry,  the 
cavalry,  and  cannon  occupying  the  heights,  at  the 
Old  Blazing-star,  to  cover  their  return.  The  snow 
prevented  all  possibility  of  marching,  but  on  the  beat- 
en road :  there  were  no  posts  in  Woodbridge.  But, 
as  he  was  anxious  to  fulfil  the  spirit  of  his  orders,  and 
to  give  every  assistance  in  his  power  to  his  friend, 
Capt.  Beckwith's  enterprise,  he  determined  to  pro- 
ceed until  he  beat  up  some  of  the  enemy's  quarters, 
or  fell  in  with  their  patroles.  On  the  arrival  at  the 
cross  roads,  from  Amboy  to  Ehzabethtown,  the 
troops  were  challenged,  the  whole  body  halted,  and 
with  such  profound  silence,  added  to  their  being  in 
the  middle  of  the  road,  and  at  night  when  the  beaten 
path  in  it  appeared  among  the  snow  like  a  dark 
streak,  that  the  enemy  were  deceived  and  thought 
themselves  mistaken,  as  was  learnt  from  their  con- 
versation, which  was  plainly  over-heard  :  but  another 
patrole  on  horseback,  falling  in  on  the  flank  of  the 
march,  discovered  the  party ;  the  enemy's  sentinels 
fired,  and  in  succession  the  bugle-horns,  drums,  and 


h 


■'      .-:!^I.'''''    "■■■i;| 


OF  THE  queen's  RANGERS. 


133 


awn,  as 
I  Staten 
did  not 
Bsigned, 
party  to 
or  Rah- 
irty  was 
,  and  not 
;ol.  Sim- 
r,  at  one 
atry,  the 
,  at  the 
he  snow 
the  beat- 
re.    But, 
ders,  and 
is  friend, 

to  pro- 
quarters, 
al  at  the 
)wn,  the 
Itcd,  and 

being  in 
le  beaten 
e  a  dark 
[i  thought 
leir  con- 
it  another 
nk  of  the 

sentinels 
•unis,  and 


bagpipe  of  the  Queen's  Rangers  sounded ;  an  uni- 
versal alarm  being  given  and  propagated,  the  party 
returned  towards  Woodbridge :  a  soldier  was  unfor- 
tunate enough  to  be  killed  by  the  chance  shot  of  the 
sentinels.  The  enemy  assembled  in  the  rear,  and  ap- 
peared at  eight  o'clock,  when  the  party  passed  Wood- 
bridge  creek :  the  snow  was  so  deep  that  it  was 
scarce  possible  to  quit  the  road,  which  was  of  advan- 
tage to  the  Rangers ;  for  the  companies,  alternately 
advancing  in  front  of  the  march,  occupied  such 
orchards  or  trees,  as  were  at  a  small  distance  from 
the  road,  and  checked  the  enemy  who  pressed  upon 
the  rear.  Upon  his  approach  to  the  Sound,  Lt.  Col. 
Simcoe  could  hear  them  determine  to  occupy  the 
houses  at  the  Ferry,  and  to  fire  on  the  Rangers  as 
they  passed  back ;  this  they  could  have  done  with 
considerable  effect,  and  without  being  exposed :  Ser- 
jeant Wright  was  dispatched  to  gallop  over  the  ice  to 
Major  Armstrong,  and  to  desire  him  to  point  his  can- 
non at  the  Ferry  house  ;  and  Capt.  Shank  was  de- 
tached to  cross  it,  previous  to  the  return  of  the 
troops,  and  to  conceal  himself  behind  the  ridges  of 
the  ice,  which  the  tide  had  heaped  up,  and  cover  the 
retreat  of  the  party,  which  would  pass  the  Sound  in 
security,  between  the  angle  formed  by  the  tire  of  this 
detachment,  directly  opposite,  and  of  Major  Arm- 
strong's cannon,  at  a  greater  and  more  oblique  dis- 
tance. These  arrangements  being  made,  and  the 
enemy  approaching,  the  Rangers  suddenly  turned 
about  and  charged  them  upon  a  steady  run,  the  rebels 
immediately    tied,  and  they  were  pursued  till  they 


■,.;•■  •,.:'7.t 


4< 


>)■' 


,  *  1  !    ■  - 


1    •'.* ". 

'./'•■■ 


134 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  OPERATION^. 


passed  over  a  small  hill,  when  the  Rangers  were  or- 
dered to  go  to  the  right  about,  and  without  altering 
their  pace  get  upon  the  ice ;  they  were  half  way  over 
before  the  rebels  perceived  them,  which  as  soon  as 
they  did,  they  occupied  the  houses,  and  some  of  them 
followed  upon  the  ice ;  Capt  Shank  firing  upon  them 
from  his  ambuscade,  drove  them  instantly  back, 
while  the  cannon  shot  struck  the  houses  at  the  same 
time,  and,  as  it  was  reported,  killed  some  of  them : 
the  party  returned  to  Richmond  without  further  mo- 
lestation. The  Queen's  Rangers  lost  only  the  man 
already  mentioned ;  a  few  were  wounded,  but  they 
bore  no  proportion  to  the  numbers  whose  cloths 
were  struck  by  the  enemy's  bullets,  fired  at  a  distance, 
through  intervening  thickets,  or  more  probably  by 
those  who  had  not  recollection  sufficient  to  ram 
down  their  charges.  Tlie  enemy's  loss  was  supposed 
to  be  more  considerable,  as  many  of  them  were  seen 
to  fall,  and  the  whole  of  the  aftair  being  between  single 
■Tfien,  the  Rangers  were  infinitely  better  marksmen 
A\m\  the  .Jersey  militia.  Capt.  Bcckwith  had  found 
it  impracticable  to  carry  his  attempt  into  execution, 
from  an  uncommon  fall  of  rain,  wliich  encrusting  the 
top  of  the  snow,  cut  the  fetlocks  of  his  horses,  and 
rendered  it  absolutely  impossible  for  him  to  succeed. 
The  Iluzzars  soon  after  returned  to  Staten  Island. 
The  ice  lluating  on  the  2l2d  of  February,  the  Sound 
became  imjxissablc ;  the  soldiers  were  permitted  to 
undress  themselves  at  night,  and  in  case  of  alarm 
they  were  directed  to  accoutre  in  their  shirts,  and  to 
form  at  their  posts. 


Lt. 

impris 

to  reqi 

ward; 

EarlC 

applica 

place, 

though! 

would  { 

througli 

discretii 

in  the  J 

three  hi 

ned  by  t 

disposal 

desertioi 

to  keep 

the  mos 

guides  : 

univcrsa 

to  attem 

he  intern 

unfreqne 

separate 

firelocks 

to  be  so 

covered 

discrimii 

to  1)0  IK', 

at  more 
tlioy  wen 


'rt.r 


'•'  f^^7.\:% 


OF  THE  queen's  RANGERS. 


135 


Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  on  his  arrival  at  Staten  Island  from 
imprisonment,  had  applied  to  the  Commander  in  Chief 
to  request  that  he  might  join  the  army  to  the  south- 
ward ;  he  had  also  written  in  the  strongest  terms  to 
Earl  Cornwalhs,  soliciting  his  lordship  to  support  his 
application.  In  case  his  wishes  should  not  take 
place,  he  was  anxious  to  be  of  what  service  he 
thought  the  present  situation  of  the  Queen's  Rangers 
would  admit :  for  this  purpose  he  made  application 
through  the  proper  channel  to  Gen  Kniphausen,  for 
discretionary  permission  to  beat  up  the  enemy's  posts 
in  the  Jersies,  and  to  have  boats  sufiicient  to  transport 
three  hundred  infantry  and  sixty  cavalry,  to  be  man- 
ned by  the  Rangers,  and  to  be  left  totally  to  his  own 
disposal :  he  proposed  by  these  means  to  countenance 
desertion,  then  prevalent  in  Washington's  army,  and 
to  keep  the  whole  coast  in  continual  alarm :  he  had 
the  most  minute  maps  of  the  country  and  the  best 
guides :  and  the  Loyalists,  without  doubt,  would  have 
universally  joined  him.  The  first  enterprise  he  meant 
to  attempt  was,  to  surprise  Col.  Lee,  at  Burlington : 
he  intended  to  land  at  night  with  his  cavalry  in  an 
unfrecjiientcd  part  of  the  coast,  and  march  in  three 
separate  '  adies,  each  of  thirty  rank  and  tile,  carrying 
firelocks,  an^  in  the  minutest  particular,  each  party 
to  be  so  like  to  the  other,  that  if  they  should  be  dis- 
covered by  any  accident,  they  might  not  be  easily 
discriminated,  particularly  as  the  separate  routs  wero 
to  be  nearly  parallel,  through  bye  paths,  and  seldom 
at  more  than  two  miles  distance :  before  day  break 
they  were  to  meet  at  an  appointed  swamp,  where  they 


a 


it/. 


^. 


4 


^;:     ■■ 


i 


136 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  OPERATIONS 


!,.U>'     'v.. 


W^^  '. 


h  ■■<•.  .>  .. 


were  to  remain  concealed  till  the  next  night,  when 
they  were  to  continue  their  march,  dismount  when 
they  arrived  close  to  Burlington,  and  with  fixed  bay- 
onets rush  into  the  town,  and  attempt  to  conquer 
Lee's  corps.  In  the  mean  time  the  infantry  were  to 
land  on  the  second  evening,  and,  with  as  much  secrecy 
,  s  possibly,  march  twenty-five  miles  into  the  country 
to  secure  the  retreat.  From  time  to  time,  during 
this  enterprize,  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  would  have  had  the 
best  intelligence,  without  the  Loyalists  who  managed 
it  being  entrusted  with  the  secret  of  his  destination ; 
they  would  have  arrived  at  specified  spots  from  dif- 
ferent places,  in  expectation  of  meeting  those  who 
carried  on  a  contraband  traffic  with  Philadelphia. 
Lee's  corps  were  excellently  mounted  and  disciplined ; 
he  himself  was  active  and  enterprising,  and  had  that 
weight  in  the  Jersies,  which  capacity  and  power,  with 
a  very  free  use  of  it,  could  give  to  the  possessor ; 
the  importance  it  would  have  been  of  to  the  intended 
system  of  operations,  to  have  seized  upon  Col.  Lee 
and  demolished  his  corps,  is  best  illustrated  by  re- 
marking that,  although  Burlington  is  near  seventy 
miles  from  Staten  Island,  he  was  understood  to  have 
his  picjuets  eight  or  ten  miles  in  his  front  for  his  secu- 
rity. Lt.  Col.  Simcoe's  proposals  were  approved  of 
by  (icnerals  Kniphausen,  Stirling,  and  Tryon  :  some 
of  the  boats  were  sent  to  bin),  and  the  remainder, 
with  the  preparations  detailed  in  the  appendix,  were 
in  forwardness',  when,  on  the  23d  of  March  1780,  the 
infantry  of  the  corps  received  orders  to  embark  lor 
Chiirlestown,  which  it  did  on  the  4th  of  April.   Capt. 


Wick 
Ricliii 
by  a 
and  til 
this  d( 
the  22 
Queen 
of  Wa 
Weste 
gers  ar 
the  As] 
Town  < 
quarter 
ered  the 
tween  t 
consiste 
a  sick  ni 
paid  to 
and  Mr 
very    ci 
soldiers 
regimen 
niodious 
hats,  w 
persona 
from  ini 
lire,  as 
"  the  uni 
"  versair 
"with  so 
"  in  thei] 


OF  THE  queen's  RANGERS. 


137 


whea 
when 

d  bay- 

onquer 

ivere  to 

secrecy 

country 

,  during 

had  the 

nanaged 

ination ; 

jrom  dif- 

qse  who 

ladelphia. 

iciphucd ; 
had  that 

^wcr,  with 

lossessor ; 
intende«l 
Col.  Lee 
id  by  rc- 

ir  seventy 
id  to  have 
his  secu- 
iprovcd  ol 
on:  80inc 
•enmiuder, 
|idix,  were 
1780,  the 
tubark  for 
iril.   Capt. 


Wickham  was  left  with  the  Huzzars  in  the  town  of 
Richmond,  and  the  duty  of  the  redoubts  was  taken 
by  a  party  of  two  subaltern  officers  and  sixty  rank 
and  file,  from  the  82d  regiment,  under  his  directions ; 
this  detachment  was  in  a  few  days  after  relieved  by 
the  22d  regiment.    The  Hessian  regiment  of  Ditforth, 
Queen's  Rangers,  Volunteers  of  Ireland,  and  Prince 
of  Wales's  volunteers,  under  the  command  of  Col. 
Westerhagen,  sailed  on  the  7th.     The  Queen's  Ran- 
gers anchored  in  Stono  inlet  on  the  18th,  and  passing 
the  Ashley  river,  arrived  at  the  damp  before   Charles 
Town  on  the  21st :  they  immediately  marched  to  the 
quarter-house,  four  miles  from  Charles  Town  and  cov- 
ered the  troops  employed  on  the  siege,  by  extending  be- 
tween the  Ashley  and  Cooper  rivers.     The  infantry 
consisted  of  four  hundred  rank  and  file  :  there  was  not 
a  sick  man  among  them,  for  great  attention  had  been 
paid  to  whatever  might  preserve  them  in    health ; 
and  Mr.  Kellock  and  Macauley,  the  surgeons,  were 
very    capable  and    attentive  in  their  duties.     The 
soldiers  were  new  clothed   and  accoutred,  and  the 
regiment  had  substituted  light  caps,  neat  and   com- 
modious, in   the   room   of   the   miserable   contract 
hats,  which  had  been  sent  from  England.     To  the 
personal  congratulations  of  his  friends,  on  his  release 
from  imprisonment.  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  had  great  pleas- 
ure, as  he  expressed  himself  in  orders,  "  in  hearing 
"  the  uniformity  and  appearance  of  the  regiment  nni- 
"  versally  approved :  he  trusts  that  soldier  will  vie 
"with  sohlier  and  officer  with  officer  in  maintaining 
"  in  their  respective  stations  the  very  favourable  im- 
11 


■\ 


t 


Ix 


138 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  OPERATIONS 


I 


,3  ,  TrV'  ■:■    ■ 


'If  ■■.■:, 


"  pression  which  their  superior  officers  entertain  of 
"  them,  that  their  disciphne  and  appearance  on  the 
"  parade  reflects  credit  on  their  soldier-Uke  behaviour 
"  in  the  field."  On  the  arrival  of  this  reinforcement, 
Sir  Henry  Clinton  augmented  the  detachments  which 
he  had  thrown  over  the  Cooper  river,  to  cut  off  the 
intercourse  between  Charles  Town  and  the  country : 
and  Earl  Cornwallis  took  their  command.  The  siege 
was  pushed  with  vigor ;  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  was  very 
apprehensive  that  Gen.  Lincoln,  under  the  pretext  of 
a  sally,  would  embark  in  boats,  and  passing  up  the 
Ashley  river  land  beyond  his  post ;  when,  a  few  hours' 
march  in  a  country  intersected  by  rivers  and  swamps, 
would  enable  him  to  baffle  all  pursuit :  he  therefore 
obtained  two  six  pounders  to  be  added  to  his  field 
pieces,  and  placed  to  command  the  river ;  and  he  en- 
deavored to  procure  a  fire-raft,  to  be  moored  on  the 
opposite  bank,  which,  being  set  on  fire,  would  throw 
a  light  across  sufficient  to  direct  the  cannon  on  any 
boats  which  might  attempt  to  pass.  He  had  brought 
with  him  a  serjeant  and  nine  huzzars,  with  their  ac- 
coutrements, these  and  his  riflemen  he  soon  mounted, 
and  patrolled  in  his  front  between  Dorchester  and 
Goose  creek  ;  but  particularly  to  examine  the  points 
which  he  thought  most  practicable  for  Gen.  Lincoln 
to  land  on.  He  found  a  sloop  on  the  shore  at  Goose 
creek,  which  on  the  9th  of  May  Lt.  Murray,  a  gentle- 
man who  had  been  bred  in  the  navy,  was  indefatigable 
in  getting  oflf  and  bringing  down  to  the  post,  to  assist 
in  blocking  up  the  passjigc :  however,  Mr.  Lincoln 
cither  did  not  intend  to  escape,  or  thought  of  it  too 


TJiey 
eda 
whom 
whenc 
Town 
to  Geoi 
30th,  I 
Capt 
been 

might  h 

my;  bu 

certed 

in  thei 


ai 


!■ 


>'■  ^  ■;;'.';.!  >| 


or  THE  queen's  rangers. 


139 


•'I 


i^ 


> 


late ;  for  all  possibility  of  effecting  such  a  design  was 
effectually  precluded  by  Earl  Cornwallis's  sending 
down  from  Wando  inlet  a  waterforce,  which,  by 
Capt.  Elphingstone's  arrangement,  effectually  block- 
ed up  the  river :  and  the  place  surrendered  on  the 
12th  of  May.  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  going  to  head  quar- 
ters to  congratulate  the  Commander  in  Chief,  Sir  H. 
Clinton  was  pleased  to  show  him  where  he  had  in- 
tended to  storm  the  town,  had  the  enemy's  obstinacy 
obliged  him  to  that  measure.  The  point  from  whence 
this  attack  was  to  have  been  made,  had  been  private- 
ly reconnoitred  by  that  gal  int  ofhcer  Capt.  Hanger  ; 
and  that  Charles  Town  was  not  stormed  must  ever  be 
imputed  to  that  humanity  which  is  so  bright  a  feature 
in  the  character  of  the  British  general.  The  Queen's 
Rangers  marched  to  Dorchester  and  its  environs,  im- 
mediately after  the  capitulation.  The  air  or  the  wa- 
ter at  the  quarter-house,  had  rendered  the  men  sickly. 
They  Jidvanced  to  Fourhole-bridgc,  where  they  remain- 
ed a  day  or  two  at  Caton's,  (an  unfortunate  loyalist, 
whom  the  rebels  some  time  after  assassinated,)  from 
whence,  by  express  order,  they  returned  to  Charles 
Town,  as  it  was  supposed,  to  embark  on  an  expedition 
to  Georgetown :  they  covered  the  head-quarters  on  the 
30th,  and  embarked  on  the  31st  for  New- York. 

Capt.  Wickham  of  the  Huzzars  had  by  no  means 
been  idle  while  at  Richmond :  the  post  was  such  as 
might  have  been  a  temptation  to  an  enterprising  ene- 
my ;  but  Gen.  Kniphausen,  by  frequent  and  well-con- 
certed expeditions,  had  kept  the  rebels  fu'ly  employed 
in  their  own  cantonments,  the  Jersics.    On  one  of 


*;, 


I 


if,' 


mm' 


111  Lvaji'^;,   'i 


i: 


140 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  OPERATIONS 


•:■■-',  I 


these  attempts,  the  Huzzars  of  the  Rangers  were 
eminently  distinguished,  as  was  detailed  to  Lt.  Col. 
Simcoe  by  Capt.  Wickham,  and  by  him  read  to  the 
Commander  in  Chief,  who  was  highly  satisfied  with 
it.  The  report  mentions,  "  that  on  the  15th  of  April, 
the  cavalry  on  Statcn  Island,  consisting  of  Cornet 
Tucker  and  twenty  of  the  17th  regiment,  light  dra- 
goons, Capt.  Wickham  with  his  troop  of  forty-five 
men,  and  Capt.  Deimar  with  his  huzzars,  forty  men, 
crossed  at  Cole's  ferry,  and  marched  to  English 
neighbourhood,  where  they  joined  Major  Du  Buy, 
with  three  hundred  of  the  regiment  De  Bose  and  fifty 
of  Col.  Robinson's  corps.  At  New-bridge  Serjeant 
M'Laughlin,  with  six  of  the  Rangers  in  advance,  fell 
in  with  and  either  killed  or  took  the  whole  of  a  small 
rebel  out-post.  The  detachment  then  continued  their 
march,  leaving  fifty  infantry  for  the  security  of  the 
bridge.  At  a  convenient  distance  from  Hopper 
Town,  Major  Du  Buy  gave  his  last  orders  for  his  sur- 
prise of  Col.  Bailey,  with  three  hundred  rebels,  post- 
ed at  that  place :  the  major  was  particularly  attentive 
to  a  minute  description  of  their  situation.  Cornet 
Spencer  with  twelve  ranger  huzzars,  and  Cornet 
Tucker  with  the  like  number  of  the  17th  regiment  to 
support  him,  made  the  advance  guard  ;  then  followed 
Capt.  Diemar  with  his  troop  :  the  infantry  and  the 
remainder  of  the  cavalry  closed  the  rear.  Hopper 
Town  is  a  straggling  village,  more  than  a  mile  long ; 
the  farthest  house  was  Col.  Bailey's  quarters ;  the 
nearest,  a  court-house  which  contained  an  oflicer's 
piquet  of  twenty  men,  and  which,  if  properly  dispos- 


?l;v':Vl 


OF  THE  queen's  RANGERS. 


141 


3  were 

.t.  Col. 

[  to  the 

ed  with 

if  April, 

Cornet 

arht  dra- 

)rty-five 

:ty  men, 

Enghsh 

Du  Buy, 

and  fifty 

Serjeant 

ance,  fell 

f  a  small 

lued  their 

ty  of  the 
Hopper 
his  sur- 

lels,  post- 
attentive 
Cornet 
Cornet 

cfiment  to 
followed 
and  the 
Hopper 
^lile  long ; 
■ters;  the 
officer's 
y  dispos- 


ed, covered  a  bridge  over  which  the  troops  must  pass. 
The  advance  was  ordered  to  force  the  bridge,  and  to 
push  forward  at  full  speed,  through  the  town,  to  head 
quarters  :  this  they  effected  after  receiving  an  inef- 
fectual fire  from  the  piquet  and  from  some  of  the 
windows  :  the  rest  of  the  cavalry  dispersed,  to  pick 
up  the  fugitives  and  to  take  possession  of  the  rebel's 
quarters,  now  abandoned.    Cornet  Spencer,  on  his 
arrival  at  his  post  with  six  men  only,  the  rest  not  be- 
ing able  to  keep  up,  found  about  five  and  twenty  men 
drawn  up  on  the  road,  opposite  him,  and  divided  only 
by  a  hollow  way  and  small  brook,  with  Hopper's 
house  on  their  right,  and  a  strong  fence  and  swamp 
on  their  left.    The  officer  commanding  them,  whom 
he  afterwards  found  to  be  Bailey,  talked  to  his  men 
and  asked  his  officers,  "  Shall  we  fire  now  or  take 
"  possession  of  the  house  ;"  the  latter  was  agreed  on. 
The  house  was  of  stone,  with  three  windows  below 
and  two  above :  at  the  moment  of  their  going  in, 
Cornet  Spencer  with  his  party  augmented  to  ten  of 
his  own,  and  by  two  of  the  17th  regiment,  passed  the 
ravine,  and  taking  possession  of  the  angles  of  the 
house,  ordered  some  of  his  men  to  dismount  and  to 
attempt  to  force  one  of  the  windows.    Some  servants 
from  a  small  out-house,  commenced  a  fire  :  Corporal 
Burt  with  three  men  was  sent  to  them,  who  broke  the 
door  open  and  took  nine  prisoners.    Cornet  Spencer 
made  several  ofters  to  parley  with  those  who  defend- 
ed head  quarters,  but  to  no  purpose ;  they  kept  up  a 
continual  fire :  finding  it  impossible  to  break  the  door 
open,  which  was  attempted,   and  a  man  wounded 
11* 


•  m 


^:    !*  J  •  ••■*  :■■■ 


I  ^m ■  '■ 


I 


I  ■ ' 


1 


142 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  OPERATIONS 


wsr 


fVt'ii:'.,'-!  >•;  ' 


1  /v!*:.-i;,'-;. 


through  it,  or  to  force  any  of  the  windows,  he  ordered 
fire  to  be  brought  from  the  out-house,  with  which  he 
set  one  angle  of  the  roof,  which  was  of  wood,  in 
flames  :  he  again  offered  them  quarter  if  they  would 
surrender ;  they  still  refused,  though  the  flames  were 
greatly  increased.  By  this  time  some  of  the  speedi- 
est of  the  cavalry  had  come  to  his  assistance :  the 
firing  ceased.  Captains  Deimar  and  Wickham,  &c., 
who  had  collected  a  great  number  of  prisoners,  and 
left  some  few  men  to  guard  them,  until  the  infantry 
should  come  up,  now  joined  the  advance.  Col.  Bai- 
ley, as  he  opened  the  door  to  surrender,  was  unfortu- 
nately shot  by  one  of  Captain  Deimar's  huzzars,  and 
died  three  days  after.  Of  the  advance  guard  two 
men  and  three  horses  were  killed,  and  two  men  and 
two  horses  wounded :  and  one  man  and  one  horse  of 
the  17th  regiment  were  also  killed.  In  this  house 
Col.  Bailey,  two  captains,  three  subalterns,  and  twen- 
ty-one soldiers  were  taken.  In  the  whole,  twelve 
officers,  with  one  hundred  and  eighty-two  men  were 
made  prisoners.  The  party  returned  by  the  same 
route  they  had  advanced,  with  little  opposition  and 
no  loss.  The  plan  of  this  expedition  was  well  laid, 
and  as  well  executed :  Major  Du  Buy  seemed  to  be 
master  of  the  country  through  which  he  had  to  pass, 
and  was  well  seconded  by  Capt.  Deimar.  Major  Du 
Buy  was  pleased  to  honour  the  huzzars  of  the  Rang- 
ers with  his  particular  thanks  and  approbation.  The 
house  was  well  defended,  and  the  death  of  the  gallant 
Colonel  Bailey  was  very  much  regretted  by  his  oppo- 
nents." 


On 

Island 
night 
stantl} 
having 
near  E 
zars  of 
M'Nab 
himself 
advanc 
enemy 
follow  1 
of  the  ] 
mand  ol 
laid  for 
fall   intc 
Yagers, 
ed  the  e 
ing  som( 
^vjiich  tl 
an  huzzf 
Onth 
sion  of 
Springfi( 
The  ene 
one,  whi 
on  the  1 
orchard 
them, 
ade,  wh( 
with  thej 


■-.ill 
■  •  J 


OP  THE  queen's  rangers. 


143 


dered 
ich  he 
od,  in 
would 
3  were 
speedi- 
e :  the 
n,  &c., 
'S,  and 
nfantry 
ol  Bai- 
infortu- 
irs,  and 
ird  two 
len  and 
horse  of 
is  house 
id  twen- 
,  twelve 
len  were 
le  same 
tion  and 
veil  laid, 
3d  to  be 
to  pass, 
klajor  Du 
ic  Rang- 
)n.    The 
ic  gallant 
his  oppo- 


On  the  21  St  of  June  the  regiment  landed  at  Staten 
Island,  and  inarched  to  Richmond  redoubts.  At  mid- 
night Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  received  orders  to  proceed  in- 
stantly to  the  Jersies,  where  General  Kniphausen 
having  thrown  a  bridge  of  boats  over  the  Sound, 
near  Elizabethtown  Point,  was  encai.  ped :  the  huz- 
zars  of  the  Rangers  here  joined  the  corps.  Lieut. 
M'Nab  had  found  an  opportunity  of  distinguishing 
himself  by  the  intrepidity  and  boldness  with  which  he 
advanced  into  Elizabethtown,  amidst  the  fire  of  the 
enemy  who  possessed  it,  in  order  to  entice  them  to 
follow  him  into  an  ambuscade,  which  Capt.  Archdale, 
of  the  17th  dragoons  (who  had  the  temporary  com- 
mand of  the  Provincial  cavalry)  had  very  skilfully 
laid  for  them  ;  but  which  they  were  too  cautious  to 
fall  into.  That  evening  the  Queen's  Rangers  and 
Yagers,  under  the  command  of  Col.  Wurmb,  attack- 
ed the  enemy's  advance  post,  for  the  purpose  of  tak- 
ing some  prisoners,  who  might  give  intelligence ;  in 
■which  they  succeeded,  with  the  loss  of  a  Yager,  and 
an  huzzar  of  the  Rangers,  who  were  killed. 

On  the  23d  of  June,  M.  Gen.  Mathews  with  a  divi- 
sion of  the  troops,  marched  before  day  towards 
Springfield :  the  Rangers  made  the  advance  guard. 
The  enemy's  smaller  parties  fell  back  upon  a  larger 
one,  which  was  well  posted  on  an  eminence,  covered 
on  the  right  by  a  thicket,  and  on  the  left  by  an 
orchard :  the  road  ran  in  a  deep  hollow  between 
them.  While  the  battalions  of  Gen.  Skinner's  brig- 
ade, who  flanked  the  march,  were  exchanging  shot 
with  these  troops,  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  closed  the  compa- 


• .  ■  ^ 

*■■ 

.'i 

■;    :.. 

•'     ■•'■^ 

I 


!.:-.v.  ■, 


»b 


144 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  OPERATIONS 


nies  of  the  Rangers,  and  directed  them  to  rush  down 
the  hollow  road  in  column  without  firing,  and  then  by 
wheeling  to  the  right,  to  ascend  to  the  orchard  and 
divide  the  enemy's  parties  :  this  was  done,  and  Capt. 
Stevenson  who  led  with  the  riflemen  and  light  infant- 
ry company,  obtained  the  ground  on  their  flank  with- 
out loss,  making  several  prisoners :  the  enemy  fled, 
and  the  Rangers  pursued  closely  on  the  right,  where 
the  ridge  continued,  and  which  commanded  the  road, 
virtually,  becoming  a  flanking  party  to  the  line  of 
march.  In  the  mean  time,  the  enemy  who  had  been 
posted  on  the  left  retreated  up  the  road,  which  led 
through  a  plain,  unpursued :  the  line  for  some  time 
leaving  it  to  follow  the  Queen's  Rangers,  who  having 
dispersed  the  party  they  pursued,  now  made  the  ut- 
most exertions  to  cut  ott"  the  retreat  of  the  other 
division :  the  circuit  they  had  to  take  rendered  this 
design  ineflfectual.  The  enemy  retired  over  the 
bridge  near  Springfield,  where  they  had  some  troops 
and  cannon ;  they  fired  a  few  shot,  by  which  two  of 
the  Rangers  were  killed  as  they  slept,  M.  General 
Mathews  halting  till  the  arrival  of  Gen.  Kniphausen, 
with  the  main  body  of  the  army ;  he  then  made  a 
circuit  with  his  division  to  pass  the  river  higher  up, 
on  the  right.  The  troops  halted  for  a  considerable 
time  on  a  height,  below  which  ran  a  little  brook,  and 
cannonaded  small  parties  of  the  enemy  scattered  up 
and  down  in  the  fields  and  woods,  which  shelved  at  a 
considerable  distance  from  the  Newark  hills.  A  very 
heavy  fire  being  heard  from  Gen.  Kniphausen's  co- 
lumn, the   troops   proceeded  unopposed  over   the 


OF  THE  queen's  rangers. 


145 


down 
lenby 
rd  and 
.  Capt. 
infant- 
5.  witli- 
ly  fled, 
where 
16  road, 
line  of 
id  been 
ich  led 
ne  time 
►  having 
the  ut- 
le  other 
ired  this 
ver    the 
e  troops 
1  two  of 
General 
phausen, 
1  made  a 
gher  up, 
siderablc 
rook,  and 
ttered  up 
ilved  at  a 
Avery 
isen's  co- 
over    the 


brook  :  the  enemy  appeared  beyond  a  second  bridge, 
and  possessing  the  heights,  seemed  to  be  drawn  up  in 
small  bodies  by  echelon,  so  as  to  concentre  their  tire 
upon  the  road.  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  advanced  towards 
the  bridge  in  column,  when  rapidly  forming  the  line, 
and  extending  it  to  the  left,  he  passed  the  deep  gully 
covered  by  the  thickets,  and  by  the  riflemen  whom 
Lt.  Shaw  had  well  disposed  of,  and  out-reached  the 
enemy's  left :  they  immediately  fell  back,  with  too 
much  precipitation  to  be  overtaken  by  the  Rangers, 
who  Avere  forming  for  that  purpose,  and  with  too 
much  order  to  be  adventured  upon  by  a  few  men, 
whom  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  had  collected  and  brought  se- 
cretly through  the  thickets  upon  their  flank.  The 
Rangers  met  with  no  loss ;  the  gallant  Lt.  Shaw  was 
slightly  wounded.  The  column  then  marched  to 
Springfield,  which  Gen.  Kniphausen,  on  hearing  the 
cannonade  from  Gen.  Mathews,  had  forced  ;  on  their 
arrival  there,  most  of  the  army  re-crossed  the  river, 
and  the  Rangers  received  orders  to  follow  in  the  rear 
over  the  bridge,  where  it  was  intended  to  halt  for  two 
or  three  hours  to  refresh  the  troops,  who,  it  was  now 
evident,  were  to  return  to  Elizabethtown  Point.  Lt. 
Col.  Simcoe  thought  proper  to  accompany  the  offi- 
cer, who  brought  this  order,  to  Gen.  Kniphausen,  and 
to  represent  to  him  that  the  Rangers,  who  lay  in  an 
orchard  full  of  deep  hollows,  which  secured  them 
from  the  enemy's  shot,  were  in  a  much  more  favour- 
able position  to  cover  the  army  than  if  they  crossed 
the  river  ;  and  it  being  obvious,  that  while  this  posi- 
tion was  maintained,  the  enemy  could  not  be  certain 


.■^'•  }'■-■. 


'■*  ".* 

146 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  OPERATIONS 


whether  the  Britisli  army  meant  to  return  towards 
Staten  Island  or  Jidvance,  they  would  not  hazard  the 
passing  their  light  troops  over  the  river  on  the  flanks 
of  the  army  in  readiness  to  molest  them  in  their  pre- 
sent position  and  future  march.  Gen.  Kniphauscn 
directed  Lt.  Col.  f:  imcoe  to  maintain  his  post,  and 
some  Yagers  were  sent  to  cover  his  left,  and  a  bat- 
talion of  Gen.  Skinner's  his  right  flank.  In  the  mean 
time  Gen.  Greene,  with  the  gross  of  his  army,  occu- 
pied a  strong  position  upon  the  hills,  near  a  mile  and 
a  half  in  front  of  the  advanced  corps  :  his  troops  and 
his  cannon  in  general  were  in  ambuscade.  He  de- 
tached two  or  three  field  pieties  to  the  right  flank  of 
tlu;  British,  which  canonfided  them  for  some  time, 
but  with  little  eft'ect ;  and  his  militia  and  light  troops 
in  great  numbers  came  as  close  to  the  front  as  the 
intervening  thickets  could  siielter  them,  and  kept  up 
a  constant  though  irregular  fire  from  every  side.  Most 
of  these  shot  passed  over  the  heads  of  the  Rangers, 
while  some,  which  were  fired  at  a  greater  distance, 
dropped  with  little  cflect  in  the  hollows  which  con- 
cealed them.  On  their  right  ran  a  rivulet,  forming 
small  and  swampy  islets,  covered  with  tiiickets ;  as 
under  favour  of  this  ground  the  eneniy  were  gradu- 
ally npproaching,  Lt.  Col.  Siincoe  waded  to  one  of 
tluMn  with  Captain  Kerr,  whom  with  his  comj)any  he 
left  in  ambuscade,  wilii  orders,  if  the  enemy  advanc- 
ed, to  give  them  one  well-directed  fire,  and  innnedi- 
ately  to  re-crosi-  to  the  n^gimciit.  Captain  Kerr  exe- 
cuted his  orders  judiciously,  man)  of  the  en«Mi>y  were 
seen  to  fall :  the  thicket  he  quitted  Avas  not  again 


attenij 
the  pr 
troops 
march 
the  reti 
tion. 
pcrceiv 
blesom( 
had  nea 
to  divid 
closed  1 
TJie  col 
tigers 
their  asj 
proceed* 
niption. 
commam 
distingui 
who  lbl|( 
distance, 
«'ind    the 
none  o 
rcftn-ne( 
appearai 

of  \\()0( 

SiuK-oe 
manded 
in  echelo 
l»is  flank, 
extend  an 
the  Coloi 


i  ■ 


\   ^•■'^'J'-'C 


(■.">1 


OF  THE  queen's  RANGERS. 


147 


wards 

vd  the 

flanks 

iir  prc- 

liauscn 

it,  and 

I  a  bat- 

e  mean 

,  occu- 

(lilc  and 

ops  and 

He  de- 
flank  of 

le  time, 

It  troops 

t  as  the 
kept  up 

le.  iVlost 

Hangers, 

distance, 

licU  con- 
forming 
;kcts;  as 
re  gradu- 
()  one  ot 
npany  he 
y  advanc- 
innnedi- 
Ki>rr  exc- 
KMny  were 
not  again 


attempted  by  them,  but  it  became  the  centre  to  which 
the  principal  part  of  their  fire  was  directed.  The 
troops  having  halted  two  or  three  hours,  began  their 
march  to  Elizabethtown :  the  advance  corps  covered 
the  retreat,  and  re-passed  the  bridge  without  molesta- 
tion. It  was  a  considerable  time  before  the  enemy 
perceived  their  movement,  nor  did  they  become  trou- 
blesome till  the  Yagers,  who  made  the  rear  guard, 
had  nearly  ascended  the  heights  where  the  army  was 
to  divide  into  two  columns  ;  the  one  on  the  right  was 
closed  by  the  Yagers,  that  on  the  left  by  the  Rangers. 
The  colunms  marched  on,  and  it  appearing  that  the 
Yi-gers  might  be  pressed,  the  Rangers  returned  to 
their  assistance,  and  the  enen>y  retired.  The  troops 
proceeded  towards  Elizsibethtown  with  little  inter- 
ruption. The  riflemen  of  the  Queen's  Rangers,  now 
commanded  by  Serjeant  M'Pherson,  were  eminently 
distinguished  on  this  retreat.  The  enemy's  militia, 
who  followed  the  army,  were  kept  by  them  at  such  a 
distance,  that  very  few  shot  reached  the  batt'  'ion ; 
and  they  concealed  themselves  so  admirably  that 
none  of  them  were  wounded,  whilst  they  scarcely 
returned  a  shot  in  vain.  TlH>re  being  at  ono  lime  an 
appearance  that  th(>  enemy  meant  too(cuj)y  a  tongue 
of  wood,  which  ran  between  tlu^  columns,  l^t.  Col. 
Siin.oe  re(juested  of  ('olo»icl  Jloward,  who  com- 
manded the  guards,  to  post  some  divisions  of  them 
in  echelon  behind  the  various  fences  so  a^  to  protect 
his  lliink,  nias(pie  the  wood,  and  in  some  measure  to 
extend  and  to  approach  nearer  'o  the  right  column  ; 
the  Colonel  assented  :  but  as  the  enemy  were  not  in 


I 


la 


'      • 


•f 

I* 


■■  (lT''i 


liii 


118 


JOURXAL  OF  THE  OPERATIONS 


sufficient  numbers  to  advance,  the  army  returned  to 
their  former  encampment.  The  Rangers  had  two 
men  killed,  Lieut.  Shaw  and  nine  privates  slightly 
w  ouiided  :  the  huzzar,  Wright,  had  his  horse  wound- 
ed ;  but  a  great  many  soldiers  had  marks  of  the  ene- 
my's bullets  in  their  clothes  and  knapsacks  :  the  Jer- 
sey militia  sufllercd  considerably,  and  among  others 
Fitz  Randolph,  one  of  their  best  officers,  was  killed. 
At  night  the  troops  passed  over  the  bridge  to  Staten 
Island ;  the  retreat  being  covered  by  two  redoubts, 
occupied  by  troops  of  the  line,  who  embarked,  on  the 
bridge  being  broken  up,  without  molestation. 

The  Rangers  embarked  the  next  morning,  and  sail- 
ing up  the  North  river,  landed  on  the  23th,  and  pro- 
ceeded to  Odle's  Ilill,  their  position  in  front  of  the 
line.  It  now  appeared,  that  the  conmiander  in  chief 
had  hurried  from  Charles  Town,  and  withdrawn  Gen. 
Kuiphausen  from  the  Jersics,  on  the  intimation  of  a 
French  armament  being  destined  for  Rhode  Island, 
and  >vith  the  hopes  of  attacking  it  to  advantage,  on 
its  arrival :  he  had  encamped  the  army  near  Kings- 
bri'tgc,  f<'r  tin?  |)urpose  of  embarking  them  with  tlio 
greater  facility.  \A.  Col.  Simcoe  was  obliged  to  go 
to  New-York  to  recover  his  health;  and  the  regi- 
ment ^^  as  in  general  very  sickly.  The  refugees,  who 
had  taken  post  on  the  banks  of  tlu;  North  river,  in 
the  r«'bel  country,  were  attacked  by  iivu.  VVayne, 
whom  they  gallantly  repulsed:  amidst  tlu^  fire,  Cock- 
rane,  the;  brave  huzzar,  who  had  be(!n  left  at  Mon- 
n).>uth,  (|uitted  the  rebels  with  whom  he  had  enlisted, 
and  risking  every  hazard,  got  in  to  the  post,  and  re- 


joinec 
Siinc( 
Lonor 

marcii 

miJitia 

was  dc 

betwec 

the  islji 

ceeded 

throuffl 

munica 

der  in  ( 

Island,  j 

Major  . 

"  that  til 


■1 


I 


i.i 


ed  to 

i  two 

iiglitly 

round- 

le  cnc- 

lie  Jer- 

othcrs 

killed. 

Statcii 

doubt!*, 

,  on  the 

ind  sail- 
ind  pro- 
t  of  the 
in  chief 
wii  Gen. 
tion  of  a 
!  IsUiiul, 
itatro,  oil 
Li-  Kinfijs- 
with  the 
rod  to  go 
the  regi- 
ces,  who 
river,  in 
Wayne, 
ro,  CocK- 
at  Mon- 
li  cnlistod, 
M,  and  ri'- 


OF  THE  queen's  RANGERS. 


149 


joined  his  comrades.  On  the  19th  of  July  Lieut.  Col. 
Simcoe  joined  his  corps,  and  proceeded  with  it  to 
Long  Island,  crossing  the  sound  at  Flushing.  He 
inarched  to  Huntingdon,  where  an  hundred  of  the 
militia  cavalry,  of  the  island,  joined  him :  this  corps 
was  destined  to  secure  the  communication  over-land 
between  the  fleet,  which  lay  oft'  the  eastern  end  of 
the  island,  and  New- York.  Lieut.  Col.  Simcoe  pro- 
ceeded on  his  route  without  delay  ;  at  the  same  time, 
through  the  adjutant  general.  Major  Andre,  he  com- 
municated his  wishes,  and  his  hopes  to  the  Comman- 
der in  Chief,  that  in  case  of  any  attack  on  Rhode 
Island,  he  would  employ  the  Rangers  in  it ;  to  which 
Major  Andre  replied,  "  The  General  assures  you, 
"  that  the  Rangers  shall  be  pitted  against  a  U'rcnch 
"  regiment  the  first  time  he  can  procure  a  meeting." 
The  Queen's  Rangers  remained  about  the  Points, 
on  the  east  end  of  th<;  island,  till  the  9th  of  August, 
when  they  fell  biick  to  Coram,  from  whence  they 
returned  eastwa" '  v»n  the  15th,  being  joined  by  the 
King's  Anienciin  regiment,  which  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe 
was  ordered  to  detach  to  Riverhead,  and  he  himself 
nu>t  the  Connnander  in  Chief,  who  was  now  on  his 
journey  by  the  Adniimrs  invitation  to  hold  a  confer- 
enc«!  with  him.  Sir  II.  Clinton  sent  him  to  the  Ad- 
miral Arbutlm(»t,  whose  lleet  at  that  time  was  anchor- 
ed in  (iardiner's  May,  but  which  sailed  from  thenco 
lu'for«'  the  Connnander  in  Chief  could  arriv<\  The 
Queen's  RangcMs  n'turned  to  Oyster  Hay  on  the  '2',id 
of  August.  This  mart'h,  of  near  thre»»  hundred  milos, 
had  been  made  very  fatiguing  by  the  unconnnonly  hot 


:-:m 


-:;r^u:- 


•/If.' 

P 

ft 


)     ^K 


150 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  OPERATIONS 


weather,  which  rendered  the  Pine  barren,  through 
which  the  roads  principally  lay,  as  close  and  suUry  in 
the  night  as  in  the  day  time.  The  troops  had  been 
obliged  to  subsist  on  the  country ;  a  militia  dragoon 
who  was  sent  express  to  the  Adjutant  General  to 
inform  him  what  difficulty  there  was  in  procuring 
provisions  for  the  troops,  and  the  hardship  which 
consequently  fell  upon  the  inhabitants,  was  waylaid, 
taken  and  robbed,  by  a  party  from  the  rebel  shore,  at 
Smitli  Town.  As  this  had  been  formerly  the  case, 
and  it  was  obvious  that  no  pjirty  could  remain  secret- 
ed unknown  to  the  inhabitants,  Lieut.  Col.  Sinicoc 
obtained  leave  of  the  Commander  in  Chief,  to  raise  a 
contribution  from  the  inhabitants  of  eighty  pounds 
currency,  one  half  to  reimburse  the  militia  man,  for 
what  was  taken  from  him,  and  the  other  to  recom- 
pense him  for  the  chagrin  he  must  necessarily  have 
been  under  in  not  being  able  to  execute  his  orders  : 
this,  probably,  was  the  only  contribution  levied  by 
the  King's  troops  during  the  war. 

On  the  2.')1h  of  August,  the  Commander  m  Chief 
augni(Mi1<'(l  tin-  Rangers  uith  two  troops  ol' 'Iragoons, 
appointed  \A.  Col.  Simcoe  to  be  Lieutenant  Colonel 
of  cavahy  ;  and  the  infantry  '  aptaius,  Saumlers  and 
Shank,  otiicers  of  distinguished  iiKirit,  to  the  addi- 
tional troops:  the  corj)s  remainiMl  at  Oyster  Wvy  and 
its  vi<inity,  until  the  22d  of  Septendjer,  when  it 
marched  to  .laniaica. 

Sir  II.  Clinton  had  been  pleased  toei-.trust  Lt.  (.'ol. 
8im(;oe  with  kn()wle(lg«>  of  the  iiiip(>rtant  negotiation, 
which  terminated  so  unlbrtunately   in  the  death  of 


Major 

liim  on 

if  it  to 

a  know 

operati 

rations 

eftectu.i 

wardnef 

Leslie  : 

to  be  dc 

this  bee 

cavalry  j 

Gen.  Le 

possibly 

zars  of  f 

perly  to 


■ough 

try  in 

been 

igoon 

ml  to 

curing 

which 

iiylaid, 

ore,  at 

;  case, 

necret- 

•iimcoc 

raise  a 

pounds 

nan,  tor 

rcconi- 

ily  have 

orders ; 

vied  by 

in  C'hief 

ragoons, 

Colonel 

iders  and 

[\w,  addi- 

llity  and 

when  it 

;1  Lt.  (^ol. 
ifotiation, 
deal  1 1  ol* 


OF  THE  queen's  RANGERS. 


151 


Major  Andre ;  and  at  the  same  time,  he  informed 
him  on  what  service  he  should  eventually  employ  him 
if  it  took  effect,  and  directed  him  to  obtain  as  minute 
a  knowledge  as  he  could  of  the  country,  where  future 
operations  were  likely  to  be  carried  on.  The  prepa- 
rations for  the  execution  of  this  ijreat  design  were 
effectually  concealed,  by  an  expedition  being  in  for- 
wardness to  proceed  to  the  southward,  under  General 
Leslie  :  the  Queen's  Rangers  were  generally  supi)Oscd 
to  be  destined  for  this  service.  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe,  had 
this  been  the  intention,  must  have  connnanded  the 
cavalry ;  and  he  had  in  a  former  conversation  with 
Gen.  Leslie,  represented,  that  although  no  men  could 
possibly  be  more  useful  or  more  brave  than  the  IIuz- 
zars  of  the  Rangers,  yet  as  he  never  had  leisure  pro- 
perly to  instruct  them  in  the  regular  system  of  caval- 
ry, or,  indeed,  had  any  occasion  to  employ  them  on 
any  but  desultory  services,  and,  on  th(!  other  hand,  as 
the  (MUMuy  had  every  mi^ans  f)f  (establishing  a  well- 
mounlcd  and  f^olid  body  of  cavalry,  he  re(iuested,  that 
the  General  would  ask  from  the  Coinniander  in  Chief, 
a  detachinont  of  forty  of  the  Seventeenth  of  dragoons, 
U)  wliom  he  would  add  a  similar  nund)er  from  his 
diagoojis  now  forming,  and  the  stoutest  of  the  huz- 
zars,  ,ind  that  this  s(|iKulron  should  be  carefully  pre- 
served from  all  tlu'  smaller  s(  rvices  of  light  troops, 
and  k«  j)t  as  a  eoiistaut  reserve  to  support  the  hu/- 
zars,  and  io  b(>  opposed  to  the  eiicMuy's  cavalry  :  (»en. 
Tiesli(>  was  pleased  to  approvi*  of  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe'a 
representations.  'I'he  ('onuuaiider  in  Chief's  design 
proving  ahortive,  the  Qu<m>ii's  Kangers  crossed  from 


•  y 

mH|':' 

:T;.i 

|R 

i 

Mf,   "  f  \ 

IF.,     ,   .. 

: 

:  '|u. 


« 


152 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  OPERATIONS 


^■»5|''-'»:'<*5*";'*'i 


Long  to  Staten  Island,  and  marched  to  Richmond  re- 
doubts on  the  8th  of  October. 

Some  circumstances  relative  to  Major  Andre's  un- 
fortunate attempt,  will  be  more  fully  detailed  in  the 
appendix  :  the  Commander  in  Chief  thinking  it  pro- 
per, in  the  general  orders,  to  publish  the  high  idea 
which  he  entertained  of  him  both  as  a  gentleman  and 
an  officer,  and  the  sense  he  entertained  of  the  loss 
his  King  and  country  had  met  with  in  his  death,  Lt. 
(>ol.  Simcoe,  who  considered  his  execution  as  a  bar- 
barous and  ungenerous  act  of  power  in  the  American 
jircneral,  and  who  had  certain  and  satisfiictory  intelli- 
gence that  the  French  party  in  general,  and  M.  Fay- 
ette in  particular,  who  sat  upon  his  trial,  urged  Mr. 
Washington  to  the  unnecessary  deed,  took  the  oppor- 
tunity in  his  orders  to  tb^  Queen's  Rangers,  the  offi- 
cers and  soldiers  of  which  personally  knew  and 
esteemed  Major  Andre,  to  inform  them,  that  "He 
"  had  given  directions  that  the  regiment  should  imme- 
"  diatcly  be  |)rovided  with  black  and  white  leatliers  as 
"mourning,  for  the  late  Major  /\ndro,  an  officer 
"  w  hose  superior  integrity  and  unconnnon  ability  did 
"  honour  to  his  country,  and  to  human  nature.  The 
"  Queen's  Rangers  w  ill  never  sully  their  glory  in  the 
"  field  by  any  undue  se\(>rity  :  they  will,  as  tlu  y  have 
"  ever  done,  C(Mi:<ider  tlK)se  to  be  under  tlieir  protec- 
"tion  who  shall  be  in  their  |)f)\\(>r,  and  will  strike 
"  with  reluctance  at  their  unha|)py  fellow  siibieots, 
"who,  by  a  system  of  the  basest  artiliees,  have  been 
"seduced  from  thrir  allegiance,  and  disciplined  to 
"revolt:  but  it  is  the  \A.  Colonel's  most  ardent  hope. 


"that 
"bet 
"Maj 
"nati< 
Caj 
Merit 
was  a 
proper 
Earl  01 
he  car 
to  com 
Lt.  Col 
with  th 
vantage 
service. 
Billing's 
some  of 
pendix. 
From 
coe  had 
of  the 
it  by  his 
and  up 
niaintain 
manded 
witji  th( 
R angers 
had  co?).« 
j'roteciio 
treated  n( 
ciated  tl 


o 


■;''.r^^;;.-5^'l 


OF  THE  queen's  RANGERS. 


153 


ind  re- 

e's  un- 
in  the 

it  pro- 

rh  idea 

lan  and 

the  loss 

ath,  Lt. 

3  a  bar- 

merican 

y^  inteUi- 

M.  Fay- 

ged  Mr. 

le  oppor- 
the  offi- 

[lew   and 

liat  "He 

ikl  imine- 
atUcrs  as 
n  officer 
bility  did 
re.     The 
I IV  in  the 
hry  have 
liv  protec- 
^vill  striko 
subjects, 
luive  been 
)liiied  to 
iiiil  hope. 


"  that  on  the  close  of  some  decisive  victory,  it  will 
"  be  the  regiment's  fortune  to  secure  the  murderers  of 
"  Major  Andre,  for  the  vengeance  due  to  an  injured 
"  nation,  and  an  insulted  army." 

Capt.  Saunders  with  his  Lieut.  Wilson,  and  Cornet 
Merit  embarked  for  Virginia,  with  Gen.  LesUe :  he 
was  a  native  of  Princess  Anne  County,  possessed 
property  there,  and  hjid  distinguished  himself  in  the 
Earl  of  Dunmore's  active  enterprises  in  that  colony : 
he  carried  with  him  several  dragoons,  and  expected 
to  complete  his  troop  in  that  province.  At  this  time 
Lt.  Col.  Simcoe,  who  had  frequently  in  conversation 
with  the  Commander  in  Chief,  expatiated  on  the  ad- 
vantages he  thought  might  accrue  to  his  Mfijesty's 
service,  by  a  post  being  seized  and  maintained  at 
Billing's  Port,  on  the  Delaware  river,  recapitulated 
some  of  his  ideas,  by  the  letter  which  is  in  the  ap- 
pendix. 

From  the  earliest  period  of  the  war,  Lt.  Col.  Sim- 
coe had  felt  it  his  duty  to  cultivate  the  good  opinion 
of  the  loyalists :  he  had  been  fortunate  in  obtaining 
it  by  his  conduct  to  the  inhabitants  of  Pennsylvania, 
and  upon  the  abandoning  of  that  province  had  still 
maintained  it.  The  Buck's  County  volunteers,  com- 
manded by  (,'jipt.  Thomas,  had,  as  much  as  suited 
witlj  their  indopendont  spirit,  acted  witli  tlie  Queen's 
Rangers,  embarked  on  exj)editions  Avith  them,  and 
had  considered  themselves  ar:  under  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe's 
protection.  A  considerable  body  of  the  loyalists, 
seated  near  the  waters  of  the  Chesap(>ake,  had  asso- 
ciated themselves  for  the  purpose  of  restoring  the 
12* 


lis 


154 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  OPERATIONS 


i^'l>--^, 


royal  government,  and  this  they  began  at  a  period 
when,  from  the  British  troops  having  evacuated  Penn- 
sylvania, they  saw,  that  it  was  from  their  own  exer- 
tions only,  that  they  could  expect  emancipation  from 
the  fetters  of  usurpation :  a  correspondence  was  car- 
ried on  with  the  leaders  of  these  loyalists  by  Major 
Andre,  and  to  which  Lieut.  Col.  Simcoe  was  privy. 
Soon  after  his  death,  their  agent,  who  was  in  New- 
York,  gave  to  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  a  paper  from  them, 
the  purport  of  which  was,  to  desire  that  he  would 
forward  to  Lord  George  Germ  lin  their  requisition, 
which  accompanied  it,  "  That  he,  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe, 
"  might  be  detached  with  a  thousand  men  to  a  cer- 
"  tain  place,  with  arms,  and  that  they  to  the  amount 
"  of  some  thousands  would  instantly  join  and  declare 
"for  government:  it  concluded  ^vith  the  strongest 
"  encomiums  on  the  character  of  the  officer  whom 
"  they  wished  to  command  them,  and  of  the  confi- 
"  dence  with  which  they  would  take  up  arms  under 
"  his  direction."  liieut.  Col.  Simcoe  answered  the 
agent,  that  although  nothing  on  earth  could  bo  more 
grateful  to  him  than  the  terms  of  this  letter,  yet,  as  a 
subordinate  officer,  he  w  ould  upon  no  account  forward 
any  plan,  or  ofter,  to  Great  Britain,  without  the  know- 
ledge of  the  Commander  in  Chief ;  and  that  although, 
as  he  gathered  from  their  language.  Sir  Henry  Clin- 
ton might  :ij)pear  to  the  k)yalists  to  bo  slow  in  his  pro- 
gress to  give  them  etl'ectual  support,  yet  tliat  he  was 
confident,  this  opinion  woukl  be  found  to  bo  the  result 
of  their  anxiety  and  zeal,  rather  tiian  any  knowkuigc 
whicii  they  could  possibly  have  of  the  means  ^  ithiu 


his  p( 
Ina  g 
ed  in 
Simc( 
then, 
answe 
"  our  { 
"  is  m< 
"  to  sa 
"  is  on 
"  citize 
"  Provi 
"  opini( 
"  wordj 
"  ty  to 
"  const? 
''  Comn 
"  see  is 
"  soutln 
"  vaiuecj 
"  lie  is  ;i 
"■  pose 
"  cxpedJ 
"  posses! 
"  be  nial 
"  strictlj 
"  for  ani 
"  tion,  o| 
"  upon, 
"  take  ul 
*'  cause, 


OF  THE  queen's  RANGERS. 


155 


period 
i  Peun- 
n  exer- 
)n  from 
ms,  car- 
y  Major 
s  privy, 
in  New- 
m  them, 
e  would 
^uisition, 
Simcoe, 
o  a  cer- 
D  amount 
d  declare 
strongest 
per  whom 
the  confi- 
ms  under 
wercd  the 
d  bo  more 
■,  yet,  as  a 
nt  forward 
the  know- 
t  although, 
enry  C'lin- 
in  his  pro- 
hat  he  was 
10  the  result 
knowledge 
caub  ^  ithiii 


his  power,  or  of  his  intentions  in  their  application. 
In  a  short  time,  the  paper  was  sent  back,  and  return- 
ed in  such  a  form  as  made  it  not  improper  for  Lt.  Col. 
Simcoe  to  show  it  to  the  Commander  in  Chief;  and 
then,  with  his  approbation,  he  returned  the  following 
answer  to  the  associates  :  "  The  gentleman,  to  whom 
"  our  situation  has  been  by  your  directions  entrusted, 
"  is  most  sensible  of  the  honour  conferred  upon  him ; 
"  to  say,  that  he  is  ready  to  risk  his  life  in  our  service, 
"  is  only  to  say,  that  he  is  ready  to  do  his  duty  as  a 
"  citizen  and  as  a  British  officer.  He  hopes,  that 
"  Providence  will  permit  him  to  establish  the  good 
"  opinion  our  friends  entertain  of  him  by  more  than 
"  words  :  he  bids  me  assure  you  that  he  has  authori- 
"  ty  to  say,  that  you  are  and  have  been  a  great  and 
"  constant  object  of  the  concern  and  attention  of  the 
''  Commander  in  Chief,  whose  system  you  cannot  but 
"  see  is  to  unravel  the  thread  of  rebellion  from  the 
"  southward ;  and  that  in  his  progress  your  most 
"  valued  assistance  will  be  depended  upon ;  but  that 
"  he  is  anxious  not  to  expose  you,  nor  must  you  ex- 
"  pose  yourselves  in  aid  of  any  kind  of  desultory 
"  expeditions,  neither  meant  nor  calculated  to  take 
"  possession  of  or  to  keep  your  country  :  such  may 
"  be  made  to  distress  the  enemy  ;  but  you  are  most 
"  strictly  enjoined,  not  to  consider  them  as  intended 
"  for  any  other  object,  until  by  his  public  proclama- 
"  tion,  or  such  jirivate  intelligence  as  you  can  depend 
"  upon,  it  shall  be  signified  to  you,  that  you  arc  to 
"  take  up  arms,  and  actively  maintain  tliat  hallowed 
cause,  for  which  you  have  suftered  so  much,  and 


I 


ki 


156 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  OPERATIONS 


1 /vi*<;.V  , 
\  ■■'•"1,  .•■;■■■;     ■ 


"  which  you  have  so  nobly,  and  so  conscientiously 
*'  supported." 

It  was  generally  supposed  about  the  latter  end  of 
October  that  t  le  enemy  meditated  some  attempt  on 
Staten  Island.  M.  de  Fayette  was  in  the  neighbour- 
hood of"  Ehzabethtown,  in  force  and  with  boats  on 
travelling  carriages.  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  by  public  con- 
versation, the  means  of  spies,  and  by  marching  to 
Billop's  point  in  the  dusk  of  the  evening,  so  as  to  be 
discovered  from  the  opposite  shore,  and  then  return- 
ing by  ways  which  the  enemy  could  not  see,  had  en- 
deavoured to  attract  their  notice,  and  to  possess  them 
with  a  belief,  that  an  inroad  into  the  Jersies  was  in 
contemplation.  As  M.  Fayette  arrived  in  the  vicinity 
the  \ery  day  subsequent  to  this  feint,  it  was  reasona- 
ble to  believe  that  his  march  was  in  consequence,  and 
that  the  boats  with  him  were  destined  to  facilitate  his 
passage  across  the  small  creeks  with  which  the  Jer- 
sies are  intersected,  in  case  of  the  British  troops 
making  any  incursions  into  that  country.  Every 
proper  precaution  was  taken  by  the  troops  in  Rich- 
mond to  prevent  a  surprise  .  on  the  12th  of  Novem- 
ber, official  information  was  sent  by  the  Adjutant 
General  to  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe,  that  his  post  was  the  ob- 
ject of  Fayette's  design,  and  that  it  probably  would 
be  attacked  on  that  or  the  ensuing  night ;  he  imme- 
diately declared  in  orders,  "  The  Lt.  Colonel  has  re- 
"  ceived  information  that  M.  Fayette,  a  Frenchman, 
"  at  the  head  of  some  of  his  Majesty's  deluded  sub- 
"jects,  has  threatened  to  plant  French  colours  on 
"  Riclunond  redoubts.    The  Lt.  Colonel  beUeves  the 


"  report 
"of  the 
"  dcspei 
"  their  c 
"  perfeci 
ly  asseni 
the  distr 
fend,  am 
they  use( 

on    t'  i: 

"should 
prepared 
ing  place 
march  ou 
placed,  a 
mask  the 
pounders, 
had  reinfc 
acquainte 
ing  groun 
the  Comn 
post,  "  If 
"make,  ii 
"  with  risl 
ficiently  c 
rebel  gent 
iiow  fiir 
of  the  scil 
'iig  with 
enemy  bel 
by  regulaf 


I  1 1  •• 


OF  THE  queen's  RANGERS. 


157 


iously 

end  of 
iipt  on 
hbour- 
)ats  on 
iic  con- 
ling  to 
3  to  be 
return- 
had  en- 
iss  them 
was  in 
vicinity 
:easona- 
nce,  and 
htate  his 
the  Jer- 
\i  troops 
Every 
in  Rich- 
Novem- 
Adjutant 
s  the  ob- 
ily  would 
he  imme- 
cl  has  re- 
cnchman, 
iided  sub- 
olours  on 
iheves  the 


"  report  to  be  a  gasconade ;  but  as  tlie  evident  ruin 
"  of  the  enemy's  affairs  may  prompt  them  to  some 
"  desperate  attempt,  the  Queen's  Rangers  will  lay  in 
"  their  clothes  this  night,  and  have  their  bayonets  in 
"  perfect  good  order."  The  Highlanders  immediate- 
ly assembled  and  marched  to  the  redoubt,  which,  in 
the  distribution  of  posts,  was  allotted  to  thera  to  de- 
fend, and  displaying  their  national  banner,  with  which 
they  used  to  commemorsite  their  saint's  day,  fixed  it 
on  t'  amparts,  saying,  "  No  Frenchman,  or  rebel, 
"  should  ever  pull  that  down."  The  Rangers  were 
prepared  if  an  attack  should  be  made  on  the  water- 
ing place,  which  appeared  to  be  most  probable,  to 
march  out  and  attack  any  division  which  might  be 
placed,  as  had  been  in  Lord  Stirling's  attempt,  to 
mask  the  troops  in  Richmond  :  two  field  pieces,  six 
pounders,  and  Capt.  Althause's  company  of  riflemen 
had  reinforced  them.  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  made  himself 
acquainted  with  the  landing  places,  and  the  interven- 
ing grounds,  in  the  minutest  particular,  and  he  had 
the  Commander  in  Chief's  directions  to  abandon  his 
post,  "  If  the  enemy  should  land  in  such  force  as  to 
"  make,  in  his  opinion,  the  remaining  there  attended 
"  with  risk."  The  defects  of  Richmond  were  not  suf- 
ficiently obvious  for  such  inexperienced  men  as  the 
rebel  generals,  to  seize  upon  and  profit  by  at  once : 
how  fiir  they  might  attract  the  instantaneous  notice 
of  the  scientific  French  officers,  supposed  to  be  act- 
ing with  them,  it  was  not  easy  to  foresee.  Had  the 
enemy  been  in  a  situation  to  have  attacked  the  place 
by  regular  approaches,  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  would  have 


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JOURNAL  OF  THE  OPERATIONS 


done  his  best  endeavours  to  have  maintained  it ;  but 
had  any  General,  at  the  head  of  a  very  superior  force 
on  the  moment  of  his  appearance,  placed  twenty  or 
thirty  field  pieces,  on  two  separate  eminences  which 
enfiladed  the  redoubts,  and  formed  a  column  to  pene- 
trate under  cover  of  the  cross  fire,  he  had  resolved  to 
abandon  what  he  considered  in  case  of  such  a  dispo- 
sition to  be  untenable.  A  false  alarm,  which  was 
given  by  an  armed  vessel  stationed  in  Newark  Bay, 
occasioned  a  considerable  movement  in  the  army ; 
and  troops  from  New- York  embarked  to  reinforce 
Staten  Island ;  the  post  at  Richmond  was  supposed 
to  be  the  object  of  an  attack.  On  the  first  gun  being 
fired,  patroles  had  been  made  on  all  sides  by  the  ca- 
valry, and  the  infantry  slept  undisturbed,  Lieut.  Col. 
Simcoe  apprehending  tlie  alarm  to  be  false.  The 
Rangers  were  very  alert  on  guard,  and  proud  of  their 
regimental  character,  of  not  giving  false  alarms,  or 
being  surprised  ;  and  the  sentinel,  as  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe 
remarked  in  orders  upon  the  only  omission,  which 
ever  came  under  his  cognizance,  "  Felt  a  manly  plea- 
"  sure  in  reflecting,  that  the  lives  and  honour  of  the 
"  regiment  was  entrusted  to  his  care,  and  that  under 
"  liis  protection  his  comrades  slej)t  in  security." 

On  the  11th  of  December,  the  Queen's  Rangers  em- 
barked on  an  expedit  i<  >ii  to  Virginia,  under  the  com- 
mand of  Gen.  Arnold  :  dipt.  Althause's  company  of 
York  Volunteers  embarked  w  itii  them,  as  did  Capt. 
Thomas  of  the  Bucks  County  Volunteers.  The  Com- 
mander in  Chief  had  directed  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  to  raise 
another  troop  of  dragoojis,  the  conunand  of  which 


t  ■•• 


''*■■■  '"  ., 


OF  THE  queen's  RANGERS. 


159 


d  it ;  but 
rior  force 
wenty  or 
:es  which 
1  to  pene- 
esolved  to 
h  a  dispo- 
vhich  was 
wark  Bay, 
the  army ; 
»  reinforce 

supposed 
t  gun  being 

by  the  ca- 
Lieut.  Col. 
false.  The 
3ud  of  their 

alarms,  or 
^ol.  Simcoc 

ion,  which 
anly  plea- 

lour  of  the 
that  under 

irity." 

langcrs  em- 
br  the  com- 

lompany  of 

IS  did  Capt. 
The  Com- 

icoc  to  raise 

Id  of  which 


was  given  to  Lt.  Cooke  of  the  17th  of  dragoons,  who 
remained  in  New  York  to  recruit  it.    The  troops  un- 
der Gen.  Arnold  being  embarked,  he  issued  an  order 
on  the  20th  of  December  against  depredations  in  the 
country  where  the  expedition  was  bound  to,  and  in 
the  most  forcible  terms  and  strongest  manner,  called 
upon  the  officers  to  second  his  intentions  and  the 
Commander  in  ChiePs  orders  in  this  respect.     The 
expedition  sailed  from  Sandy  Hook  on  the  21st  of 
December,  and  arrived  in  the  Chesapeake,  but  in  a 
dispersed  manner,  on  the  30th:  several  ships  were 
missing.     General  Arnold  without  waiting  for  them, 
was  enabled,  by  the  fortunate  capture  which  the  ad- 
vance frigate,  under  Capt.  Evans,  had  made  of  some 
small  American  vessels,  to  push  up  the  James  river, 
and  this  was  done  with  incomparable  activity  and  des- 
patch :  the  whole  detachment  showing  an  energy  and 
alacrity  that  could  not  be  surpassed.    The  enemy  had 
a  battery  at  Hood's  point,  and  there  was  as  yet  no 
certainty  whether  or  not  it  was  defended  by  an  en- 
closed work.    The  vessels  anchored  near  it  late  in 
the  evening  of  the  3d  of  January  ;  one  of  them,  in 
which  was  Capt.  Murray  of  the  Queen's  Rangers,  not 
perceiving  the  signal  for  anchoring,  was  fired  at.  Upon 
the  first  shot  the  skipper  and  his  people  left  the  deck ; 
when  Capt.  Murniy  seized  the  helm,  and  the  soldiers 
assisting  him,  he  passed  by  the  fort  without  any  dam- 
age from  its  fire,  and  anchored  above  it.     Gen.  Arn- 
old ordered  Lt.  Col.  Sinicoe  to  land  with  one  hundred 
and  thirty  of  the  Queen's  Rangers  and  the  light  in- 
fantry, and  grenadiers  of  the  80th  regiment :  the  land- 


I 


'  .  I 


160 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  OPERATIONS 


h.^^ 


ing  was  effected  silently  and  apparently  with  secrecy 
aboLt  a  mile  from  the  battery,  and  a  circuit  was  made 
to  surprise  its  garrison :  in  the  mean  time  the  fleet 
was  fired  upon,  but  ineffectually  on  account  of  its  dis- 
tance. On  the  detachment's  approach  through  bye 
paths,  to  Hood's,  the  flank  companies  of  the  80th  were 
ordered  to  file  from  the  rear  and  to  proceed  rapidly  to 
the  battery,  while  the  Rangers  were  ready  to  support 
them,  or  to  receive  any  enemy  who  might  possibly  be 
on  their  march  from  the  adjacent  country.  Major 
Gordon  on  his  approach  found  the  battery  totally 
abandoned  ;  the  concerted  signal  was  made,  and  the 
fleet  anchored  near  it.  General  Arnold  came  on 
shore ;  and  it  appeared  that  a  patrole  had  discovered 
the  boats  as  they  rowed  to  the  landing.  Capt.  Mur- 
ray had  heard  them  as  they  approached  the  shore, 
and  with  his  accustomed  zeal  had  got  into  his  boat 
ready  to  assist  if  called  for :  the  battery  was  dis- 
mounted and  the  troops  rc-cmbarked  in  the  mc  rning, 
Gen.  Arnold  pushing  the  expedition  up  the  river  with 
the  utmost  celerity.  On  the  arrival  at  Westovcr,  the 
troops  were  immediately  disembarked  :  at  first,  from 
the  reports  of  the  country  of  the  force  that  was  as- 
sembling to  defend  Richmond,  Gen.  Arnold  hesitated 
whether  he  should  proceed  thither  or  not,  his  positive 
injunctions  being  not  to  undertake  any  enterprise  that 
had  nmcli  risk  in  it ;  but  Lt.  Colonels  Dundas  and 
Simcoe,  concurring  that  one  day's  march  might  be 
made  with  perfect  security,  and  that  by  this  means 
more  perfect  information  might  be  obtained,  the  troops 
were  inmiediately  [>ut  in  motion  and  proceeded  towards 


■^':,^i 


:-'-^ 


OF  THE  queen's  RANGERS. 


161 


•Mil 


Richmond,  where  the  enemy  was  understood  to  have 
very  considerable  magazines:  it  was  above  thirty 
miles  from  Westover ;  several  transports  had  not  ar- 
rived, and  Gen.  Arnold's  force  did  not  amount  to  eight 
hundred  men.  On  the  second  day's  march,  whilst  a 
bridge  was  replacing  over  a  creek,  the  advancedguard 
only  having  passed  over,  some  of  the  enemy's  militia, 
who  had  destroyed  it  the  evening  before,  and  were  to 
assemble  with  others  to  defend  it,  were  deceived  by 
the  dress  of  the  Rangers,  and  came  to  Lt.  Col.  Sim- 
coe,  who  immediately  reprimanded  them  for  not  com- 
ing sooner,  held  conversation  with  them,  and  then  sent 
them  prisoners  to  General  Arnold.  Within  seven  miles 
of  Richmond  a  patrole  of  the  enemy  appeared,  who,  on 
being  discovered,  fled  at  full  speed  :  the  Queen's  Ran- 
gers, whose  horses  were  in  a  miserable  condition  from 
the  voyage,  could  not  pursue  them.  Soon  after  Lt. 
Col.  Simcoe  halted,  having  received  the  clearest  in- 
formation that  a  road,  made  passable  by  wood  carts, 
led  through  the  thickets  to  the  rear  of  the  heights  on 
which  the  town  of  Richmond  was  placed,  where  they 
terminated  in  a  plain,  although  they  were  almost  in- 
accessible by  the  common  road :  on  giving  this  infor- 
mation to  Gen.  Arnold,  he  said  it  was  not  worth  while 
to  quit  the  road,  as  the  enemy  would  not  fight.  On 
approaching  the  town,  Gen.  Arnold  ordered  the  troops 
to  march  as  open  and  to  make  as  great  an  appearance, 
as  possible  ;  and  the  ground  was  so  favourable  that  a 
more  skilfuU  enemy  than  those  who  were  now  recon- 
noitering,  would  have  imagined  the  numbers  to  have 
been  double.  The  enemy  at  Richmond  appeared 
13 


"■r^    ;j 


■4 


I 


162 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  OPERATIONS 


;( :' 


drawn  up  on  the  heights  to  the  number  of  two  or  three 
hundred  men  :  the  road  passed  through  a  wood  at  the 
bottom  of  these  heights,  and  then  ran  between  them 
and  the  river  into  the  lower  town.  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  was 
ordered  to  dislodge  them :  he  mounted  the  hill  in  small 
bodies,  stretching  away  to  the  right,  so  as  to  threaten 
the  enemy  with  a  design  to  outflank  them ;  and  as  they 
filed  off,  in  appearance  to  secure  their  flank,  he  di- 
rectly ascended  with  his  cavalry,  where  it  was  so 
steep  that  they  were  obliged  to  dismount  and  lead  their 
horses.  Luckily  the  enemy  made  no  resistance,  nor 
did  they  fire  ;  but  on  the  cavalry's  arrival  on  the  sum- 
mit, retreated  to  the  woods  in  great  confusion :  there 
was  a  party  of  horsemen  in  the  lower  town,  watching 
the  motion  of  Lt.  Col.  Dundas,  who,  the  heights  be- 
ing gained,  was  now  entering  it.  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe 
pushed  on  with  the  cavalry  unnoticed  by  the  enemy 
in  the  lower  town,  till  such  time  as  he  began  to  de- 
scend almost  in  their  rear,  when  an  impassable  creek 
stopped  him,  and  gave  the  enemy  time  to  escape  to  the 
top  of  another  hill  beyond  the  town.  Having  crossed 
over  lower  down,  he  ascended  the  hill,  using  such  con- 
versation and  words  towards  them  as  might  prevent 
their inchnation to  retreat;  however,  when  the  Rangers 
were  arrived  within  twenty  yards  of  the  summit,  the  en- 
emy greatly  superior  in  numbers,  but  made  up  of  militia, 
spectators,  some  with  and  some  without  arms,  galloped 
off;  they  were  immediately  pursued,  but  without  the 
least  regularity :  Capt.  Shank  and  Lt.  Spencer,  who  had 
met  with  good  horses  in  the  country,  far  distanced  the 
rest  of  the  cavalry.    Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  left  an  oflicer 


Vpy?/ 


st 


'i^-*l 


•  '■  '■  '■ 


I  or  three 
od  at  the 
een  them 
ncoe  was 

II  in  small 
)  threaten 
id  as  they 
ik,  he  di- 
it  was  so 
lead  their 
tance,  nor 
n  the  sum- 
ion  :  there 
,  watching 
eights  be- 
)1.  Simcoe 
the  enemy 
ran  to  do- 
able creek 
cape  to  the 
ng  crossed 

such  con- 

ht  prevent 

he  Rangers 

mit,  the  en- 

)  of  militia, 
IS,  galloped 
without  the 
er,  who  had 
stanced  the 
an  officer 


fi-t?; 


i 


,vF, ////// ,v//  Aifffv 


.       •    ■  ^; ■■■•  ,  ->•■•-         wS  .   ..         '■•  •■"■    -    a?-    --r-     i-a^..  ,„.       ^J    , 


..."  .".■a.  ■  '    ""'"'        ."    »'*■ 
■......,.••;  -•  ta»t....rt--.-    -■..     -:-^'''>^,.^-jr-j--'    .-•       ■> 

^-        .-.     „     ---l         ..     ■         '-■-,.  ■-..-.-....         u-.-..   •-    ■:—   Kl" 


6 


■°   -^'r^^^--  •     :;.,?fe'^^  ■:'^?g^;^^"V^..>  ^. 


$>^CH.' 


SUiiiiusli  iu    KICHMONl)   Jail  .VM7I 


i-** 


(&- 


€-i 


^1/^''■:•^■■ 


?fT"":^ 


:-^&'  '*^/^ 


^,- 


^; 


«,>' 


.^i  ■-..,_^---9^^,;:-j 


sS?i: 

'■-    "'-  :|     ft;- 


a 


^:^ 


vWV  ,.-^>     rtV.-    .'^  .--2 


lOiVl)   Jail  .VM78I. 


to  m 

their 

take, 

shou! 

or  fiA 

sever 

Col.  1 

Arno 

miles 

comp 

sent  a 

he  pr( 

pieces 

small ; 

destro 

cer,  it 

to  bloi 

carryi 

the  wj 

on  fir( 

parts 

ardoug 

regula 

dery, 

stroye 

Richm 

them 

march 

got  int 

the  mc 

Lt.  Co 


OF  THE  queen's  RANGERS. 


163 


to  mark  the  position  he  meant  his  infantry  to  take  on 
their  arrival,  and  collecting  all  the  men  he  could  over- 
take, followed  Capt.  Shank,  anxious  lest  his  ardour 
should  prove  fatal :  he  had  pursued  the  enemy  four 
or  five  miles,  six  or  seven  of  whom  he  had  taken  with 
several  horses ;  a  very  well  timed  capture.  On  Lt. 
Col.  Simcoe's  return,  he  met  with  orders  from  Gen. 
Arnold  to  march  to  the  foundery  at  Westham,  six 
miles  from  Richmond,  and  to  destroy  it ;  the  flank 
companies  of  the  80th,  under  Major  Gordon,  were 
sent  as  a  reinforcement.  With  these  and  his  corps 
he  proceeded  to  the  foundery :  the  trunnions  of  many 
pieces  of  iron  cannon  were  struck  off,  a  quantity  of 
small  arms  and  a  great  variety  of  military  stores  were 
destroyed.  Upon  consultation  with  the  artillery  offi- 
cer, it  was  thought  better  to  destroy  the  magazine  than 
to  blow  it  up,  this  fatiguing  business  was  effected  by 
carrying  the  powder  down  the  clilts,  and  pouring  it  into 
the  water ;  the  warehouses  and  mills  were  then  set 
on  fire,  and  many  explosions  happened  in  different 
parts  of  the  buildings,  which  might  have  been  haz- 
ardous had  it  been  relied  on,  that  all  the  powder  v^as 
regularly  deposited  in  one  magazine  ;  and  the  foun- 
dery, which  was  a  very  complete  one,  was  totally  de- 
stroyed. It  was  night  before  the  troops  returned  to 
Richmond ;  the  provisions  which  had  been  made  for 
them  were  now  to  be  cooked :  fatigued  with  the 
march,  the  men  in  general  went  to  sleep,  some  of  them 
got  into  private  houses  and  there  obtained  rum.  In 
the  morning  Gen.  Arnold  determined  to  return  ;  but 
Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  requested  that  he  would  halt  half  the 


^1 


164 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  OPERATIONS 


1 


k:  If  ^ 


i  - .  ■    ' 


day.  The  enemy  were  drawn  up  on  the  opposite  side 
of  the  river  so  that  no  enterprise  could  be  expected 
from  them ;  and  the  whole  of  the  Rangers  having 
been  extremely  fatigued  the  day  before,  without  any 
men  having  been  left  to  cook  for  them,  were  in  a  great 
measure  in  want  of  sustenance.  Gen.  Arnold  was 
sensible  of  the  reasonableness  of  the  request,  but  he 
thought  it  most  advisable  to  return ;  and  he  gave  as 
his  reason,  that  if  Gen.  Tryon  and  Sir  William  Er- 
skine  had  marched  two  hours  sooner  from  Danbury, 
on  their  expedition  there,  they  would  have  met  with 
no  opposition ;  and  if  they  had  delayed  it  much  longer, 
they  would  have  found  it  absolutely  impossible  to  have 
regained  their  shipping.  The  roads  were  rendered 
by  the  rain  slippery  and  difficult,  and  in  most  places 
were  narrow  and  overhung  by  bushes,  so  that  the 
troops  were  frequently  obliged  to  march  by  files,  which 
made  it  impossible  for  the  officers,  who  were  on  foot, 
to  see  far  before  them,  and  to  take  their  customary 
precautions.  When  it  became  dark,  if  any  man 
through  an  intention  of  deserting  quitted  his  ranks,  or 
in  the  frequent  baitings,  overpowered  by  fatigue,  fell 
asleep,  (which  those  who  have  suffered  it,  well  know 
brings  on  a  total  disregard  of  all  consequences,  even 
of  life  itself,)  he  escaped  notice  and  was  irrecovera- 
bly lost ;  nine  men  of  the  Rangers  either  deserted  or 
were  taken  by  the  country  people  on  this  march :  the 
troops  arrived  at  a  very  late  hour  at  the  ground  on 
which  they  were  to  encamp,  and  where  they  passed 
a  wet  and  tempestuous  night.  Gen.  Arnold  returned 
the  next  day  to  Westover,  preceded  by  Lt.  Col.  Sim- 


OF  THE  queen's  RANGERS. 


165 


site  side 
ixpected 
I  having 
lOut  any 
1  a  great 
lold  was 
t,  but  he 
!  gave  as 
iliam  Er- 
Danbury, 
met  with 
ch  longer, 
lie  to  have 
rendered 
ost  places 
)  that  the 
lies,  which 
re  on  foot, 
customary 
any   man 
,3  ranks,  or 
atigue,  fell 
well  know 
3nces,  even 
irrecovera- 
deserted  or 
march :  the 
ground  on 
hey  passed 
M  returned 
,t.  Col.  Sim- 


coe  with  the  huzzars,  to  communicate  the  earliest  in- 
telligence to  the  fleet. 

While  the  troops  were  halting  at  Westover  to 
refresh  themselves,  no  intelligence  could  be  received : 
the  militia  of  the  lower  counties  gathering  together 
and  blocking  up  the  country ;  parties  of  them  ap- 
peared in  force  on  the  heights  divided  from  Westover 
by  a  creek,  and  covered  the  peninsula  which  it  formed 
with  the  James  river.  Gen.  Arnold  directed  a  patrole 
to  be  made  on  the  night  of  the  eighth  of  January 
towards  Long  Bridge,  in  order  to  procure  intelligence 
Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  marched  with  forty  cavalry,  for  the 
most  part  badly  mounted,  on  such  horses  as  had 
been  picked  up  in  the  country ;  but  the  patrole  had 
not  proceeded  above  two  miles  before  Serjeant  Kelly, 
who  was  in  advance  was  challenged :  he  parlied  with 
the  videttes,  till  he  got  nearer  to  them,  when  rushing 
at  them,  one  he  got  hold  of,  the  other  flung  himself 
off"  his  horse  and  escaped  into  the  bushes  ;  a  negro 
was  also  taken  whom  these  videttes  had  intercepted 
on  his  way  to  the  British  army.  From  these  people 
information  was  obtained  that  the  enemy  was  assem- 
bled at  Charles  City  Court  house,  and  that  the  corps 
which  had  appeared  in  the  day  time  opposite  West- 
over,  nearly  to  the  amount  of  four  hundred  men,  lay 
about  two  miles  in  advance  of  their  main-body,  and 
on  the  road  to  Westover.  The  party  were  immedi- 
ately ordered  to  the  right  about,  and  to  march  towards 
them ;  Lt.  Holland,  who  was  similar  in  size  to  the 
vidette  who  had  been  taken,  was  placed  in  advance : 
the  negro  had  promised  to  guide  the  party  so  as  to 
13* 


^??pp; 


I 


:-v*C'.l 


J.:  . 


166 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  OPERATIONS 


1  .7{^:  --^H , 


.  r*  ■>  ■  ( 


'.ill   '.•    '■ 


avoid  the  high  road,  and  to  conduct  them  by  an  un- 
frequented pathway,  which  led  close  to  the  creek, 
between  the  body,  which  was  supposed  to  be  in  ad- 
vance, and  that  which  was  at  Charles  City  Court 
house ;  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe's  intention  was  to  beat  up 
the  main  body  of  the  enemy,  who  trusting  to  those 
in  front  might  reasonably  be  supposed  to  be  off  their 
guard ;  in  case  of  repulse  he  meant  to  retreat  by  the 
private  way  on  which  he  advanced,  and  should  he  be 
successful  it  was  optional  to  attack  the  advance  party 
or  not,  on  his  return.  The  patrole  passed  through  a 
wood,  where  it  halted  to  collect,  and  had  scarcely  got 
into  the  road  when  the  advance  was  challenged ;  Lt. 
Holland  answered,  "  A  friend,"  gave  the  countersign 
procured  from  the  prisoner,  "  It  is  I,  me,  Charles," 
the  name  of  the  person  he  personated :  he  passed  one 
vidette  whom  Serjeant  Kelly  seized,  and  himself 
caught  hold  of  the  other,  who  in  a  struggle  proved  too 
strong  for  him,  got  free,  presented  and  snapped  his 
carbine  at  his  breast ;  luckily  it  did  not  go  off,  but 
the  man  galloped  away,  and  at  some  distance  fired, 
-the  signal  of  alarm  ;  the  advance  division  immediately 
rushed  on,  and  soon  arrived  at  the  Court-house ;  a 
confused  and  scattered  firing  began  on  all  sides  ;  Lt. 
Col.  Simcoe  sent  the  bugle  horns,  French  and  Barney, 
through  an  enclosure  to  the  right,  with  orders  to  an- 
swer his  challenging,  and  sound  when  he  ordered ; 
he  then  called  loudly  for  the  light  infantry,  and 
hollowed  "  sound  the  advance  ;"  the  bugles  were 
sounded  as  had  been  directed,  and  the  enemy  fied  on 
all  sides,  scarcely  firing  another  shot.    Tlic  night  was 


OF  THE  QI^EEN's  RANGERS. 


167 


J  an  un- 
e  creek, 
>e  in  ad- 
ty  Court 
1  beat  up 
to  those 
off  their 
sat  by  the 
luld  he  be 
ince  party 
through  a 
;arcely  got 
mged;  Lt. 
ountersign 
,  Charles," 
passed  one 
,nd  himself 
proved  too 
napped  his 
go  off,  but 
;ance  fired, 
mmediately 
rt-housc;  a 
Hides ;  Lt. 
ind  Barney, 
ders  to  au- 
ic  ordered; 
fantry,  and 
uglcs  were 
cmy  fled  on 
■ic  night  was 


very  dark,  and  the  party  totally  unacquainted  with 
the  ground.  Part  of  the  dragoons  were  dismounted 
and  mixed  with  the  huzzars ;  some  of  the  enemy 
were  taken,  others  wounded,  and  a  few  were  drowned 
in  a  mill-dam.  In  saving  three  armed  militia  men 
from  the  fury  of  the  soldiers,  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  ran  a 
great  risque,  as  their  pieces  were  loaded,  pointed  to 
his  breast,  and  in  their  timidity  they  might  have  dis- 
charged them.  From  the  prisoners  he  learnt  that  the 
whole  of  their  force  was  here  assembled,  and  that 
there  was  no  party  in  advance  :  the  soldiers  were 
mounted  as  soon  as  possible,  nor  could  they  be  per- 
mitted to  search  the  houses  where  many  were  con- 
cealed, lest  the  enemy  should  gain  intell'.gence  of 
their  numbers,  and  attack  them  ;  and  this  might  easily 
be  done  as  the  darkness  of  the  night  prevented  the 
Rangers  from  seeing  around  them,  while  they  were 
plainly  to  be  distinguished  by  the  fires  which  the 
enemy  had  left.  It  appeared  that  the  militia  were 
commanded  by  Gen.  Nelson,  and  consisted  of  seven 
or  eight  hundred  men  :  they  were  completely  fright- 
ened and  dispersed,  many  of  them  not  stopping  till 
they  reached  Williamsburgh.  Serjeant  Adams  of  the 
huzzars  was  mortally  wounded  ;  this  gallant  soldier, 
sensible  of  his  situation,  said  "  My  beloved  Colonel 
'  J  do  not  mind  dying,  but  for  (iod's  sake  do  not 
'  leave  me  in  the  hands  of  the  rebels :"  Trumpeter 
I  rench  and  two  huzzars  were  wounded ;  about  a 
dozen  excellent  horses  wore  seasonably  captured. 

The  enemy  did  not  appear   during  the   time  the 
troops  stayed  at  Westover,  nor  attempted  to  harrass 


.^ 


t 

1*'.. 


S 


168 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  OPERATIONS 


r'i:.^ 


■\.,'  u 


I 


§-M\.' 


their  rear  as  had  been  threatened  :  the  remainder  of 
the  forces  arrived  the  next  day.  In  the  embarkation 
from  New-York,  the  horse  vessels  were  very  bad,  in- 
famously provided,  and  totally  unfit  for  service,  in 
consequence,  above  forty  horses  had  been  thrown 
overboard ;  the  very  Skippers  were  fearful  of  sailing, 
and  it  required  every  exertion  of  the  Quarter-Masters 
to  oblige  them  to  weigh  anchor,  and,  at  sea,  the  ut- 
most industry  and  labour  could  barely  prevent  them 
from  foundering. 

Serjeant  Adams  died  at  Wcstover  the  9th;  the 
corps  attended  his  funeral ;  he  was  buried  in  the 
colours  which  had  been  displayed  and  taken  from 
Hood's  battery.  On  the  10th  of  January  Gen.  Arnold 
embarked  and  dropped  down  to  Flour  de  Hundred ; 
at  night  he  ordered  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  to  land :  the 
General  had  information  that  a  party  of  militia,  with 
cannon,  were  assembled  at  Bland's  mills,  and  he  in- 
tended to  surprize  them.  On  the  approach  to  the 
shore,  people  were  plainly  heard  talking,  who  galloped 
off  on  the  imaginary  gun-boats  being  loudly  ordered 
to  point  their  cannon  towards  the  shore :  on  the 
Queen's  Rangers  landing,  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  placed 
Capt.  Ewald  in  ambuscade ;  that  gallant  and  able 
otficer,  with  the  reiiminder  of  his  Yagers,  had  joined 
at  Westover.  Gen.  Arnold  had  scarcely  lande<l,  and 
Col.  Dundas,  with  tl^e  80th  regiment,  was  not  yet 
on  shore,  when  a  patrolo  of  the  enemy  fell  into  the 
ambuscade  of  the  Yagers,  and  exchanged  shot  with 
them :  the  niglit  was  very  dark.  Gen.  iVrnold  directed 
Lt.   Col.   Simcoe    immediately    to   nmrch    towurd'!< 


Mm;,- 


ainder  of 
barkation 
r  bad,  in- 
ervice,  in 
n  thrown 
of  sailing, 
;r-Masters 
a,  the  ut- 
vent  them 

3  9th;  the 
ied  in  the 
Laken  from 
Jen.  Arnold 
}  Hundred ; 
)  land:  the 
nilitia,  with 

and  he  in- 
jach  to  the 
ho  galloped 
idly  ordered 
Drc:  on  the 
ncoe  placed 
ut  and  able 
s,  had  joined 

landed,  and 
was  not  yet 

fell  into  the 
i;d  shot  with 
■nold  directed 

x\\    toward't? 


OF  THE  queen's  RANGERS. 


169 


Bland's,  with  Col.  Robinson's  regiment  and  his  own 
infantry ;  but  the  cavalry  did  not  land.  The  detach- 
ment had  not  proceeded  above  two  miles,  when  Rob- 
inson's corps  in  front  received  a  heavy  fire.  There 
was  no  room  for  disposition,  for  the  road  ran  through 
a  wood  which  was  remarkably  thick,  at  the  forks  of 
which,  as  the  clearest  ground,  the  enemy  had  placed 
themselves.  Upon  the  tiring,  the  troops  were  imme- 
ately  ordered  to  charge  ;  they  rushed  forward  and  the 
enemy  fled:  near  twenty  of  Col.  Robinson's  regi- 
ment were  killed  and  wounded ;  among  the  latter  was 
Capt.  Hatch  who  commanded  the  advance  guard. 
Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  seeing  no  probability  of  accomplish- 
ing the  business  he  had  been  ordered  upon,  halted 
till  Gen.  Arnold's  arrival,  who  had  followed  with 
the  main  body :  the  troops  returned  to  Hood's  bat- 
tery, which  having  totally  dismantled,  they  carried  oft* 
the  heavy  artillery  and  quitted  it ;  the  next  day  re-em- 
barking and  falling  down  the  river.  The  troops  land- 
ed on  the  14th  at  Harding's  ferry,  and  marched  to 
Smithfield  :  the  next  morning  Gen.  Arnold  sent  Major 
Gordon  with  a  detachment  over  the  Pagan  creek,  and 
ordered  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  to  cross  at  M'Kic's  mills 
with  the  cavalry,  to  co-operate  with  him  in  dispers- 
ing a  body  of  militia,  who  wctc  supposed  to  hv  as- 
sembled in  that  neighbourhood.  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe 
desired  Gen.  Arnold  to  permit  him  to  lake  Capt. 
Ewald  with  the  Yagers  as  far  as  M'Kie's  mills,  in  case 
the  enemy  should  have  seized  that  pass :  the  (icneral 
assented ;  when  the  party  arrived  there,  the  enemy 
were  in  possession  of  the  pass  ;  and  in  some  force  : 


:[  7 


W  ,  i' 


}  ■ 


170 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  OPERATIONS 


'^]^ 


the  demonstration  of  the  cavalry  and  the  advancing 
of  the  Yagers,  after  a  few  shot,  obHged  them  to  retire ; 
the  bridge  being  taken  up,  prevented  an  immediate 
pursuit :  the  Yagers  returned  and  the  cavalry  pro- 
ceeded to  fulfill  their  orders  ;  they  joined  Major  Gor- 
don, who  had  met  with  no  enemy.    Parties  of  militia 
being  understood  to  be  at  the  points  on  each  side  of 
the  creek,  stationed  there  to  fire  on  the  boats,  Lt.  Col. 
Simcoe  proceeded  with  some  cavalry  to  disperse  them ; 
the  advanced  man,  MoUoy,  soon  perceived  two  senti- 
nels, when  watching  till  their  backs  was  turned,  he 
slowly  followed  them,  and,  as  they  turned  round, 
sprung  his  horse  between  them  crying  out,  "  lay  down 
"  your  arms,  I  have  you  both,"  which  they  readily  did ; 
proceeding  to  the  house,  the  party  was  immediately 
surrounded  and  taken,  it  consisted  of  an  officer  and 
twelve  men ;  a  similar  party  was  on  the  other  side. 
The  officer  who  had  been  taken  was  sent  over  in  a 
boat,  to  inform  them  that  if  they  surrendered  and 
delivered  up   their   arms,   they   should   have   their 
paroles ;  if  not,  they  must  abide  by  the  consequen- 
ces, as  a  party  would  be  sent  to  surround  and  cut 
them  in  pieces  ;  the  militia  immediately  accepted  the 
offi^rs,  the  officer  commanding  returning  with  bun 
who  had  carried  the  alternative ;    they  were  very 
happy  to  have  any  reason  that  might  be  pleaded  to 
their  oppressors,  not  to  be  forced  to  take  up  arms. 
However,  this  did  not  answer  the  views  of  the  rebel 
legislatures,  and  (Jovi  rnor  Jefferson  soon  after  i)ub- 
lislied  a  proclamation,  declaring  the  paroles  of  all  the 
Virginia  militia,  in  a  similar  predicament,  null  and 


Mi    <■ 


u  ,;■• 


>'  i\ 


h.  ,»'. 


OP  THE  queen's  rangers. 


171 


Ivancing 
o  retire ; 
imediate 
ilry  pro- 
ajor  Gor- 
9f  militia 
jh  side  of 
3,  Lt.  Col. 
rsethem; 
two  senti- 
urned,  he 
ed  round, 
'  lay  down 
sadily  did ; 
nmediately 
officer  and 
other  side, 
t  over  in  a 
idered  and 
have   their 
consequen- 
(id  and  cut 
.cccpted  the 
with  luin 
were  very 
pleaded  to 
ke  up  arinfi. 
of  the  rehcl 
after  puh- 
es  of  all  the 
nt,  null  and 


void.    Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  and  Major  Gordon  passed  the 
night  opposite  to  Smithfield,  and  the  next  day  the  army 
continued  its  march ;  its  rout  was  by  Sleepy-hole  ferry, 
across  which  the  boats  had  arrived  to  carry  them ;  the 
Queen's  Rangers  proceeded  to  Portsmouth,  Gen.  Ar- 
nold being  apprehensive  that  the  enemy  might  burn 
the  houses  there ;  two  or  three  small  patroles  were 
taken  or  dispersed  during  the  march,  and  Lt.  Col. 
Simcoe  entered  the  town  early  in  the  morning  of  the 
19th  of  January.    A  party  of  the  enemy  had  just 
crossed  over  to  Princess  Ann ;  the  advance  ship  of 
the  squadron  came  up  soon  after,  and  Gen.  Arnold 
with  the  army  arrived  in  the  course  of  the  day.    On 
the  25th,  Colonel  Dundas,  with  a  part  of  the  80th 
and  a  detachment  of  the  Queen's  Rangers,  cross- 
ed Elizabeth  river,  and  went  into  Princess  Ann.    This 
party  returned  at  night  and  on  its  arrival  at  the  ferry 
an  account  came  from  Gen.  Arnold,  that  some  of  the 
artillery,  who  had  been  foraging  on  the  road  to  the 
Great  bridge,  had  been  attacked,  their  waggons  taken 
and  the  officer  killed.    The  General  ordered  a  de- 
tachment to  be  passed  over  from  Norfolk,  to  endeav- 
our to  retake  the  waggons  ;  the  troops  had  just  arrived 
from  a  fatiguing  march ;  the  night  was  closing  in,  and 
it  began  to  rain  tremendously.     Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  fer- 
ried over,  as  ordered,  to  Herbert's  point,  with  fourteen 
Yagers  and  Rangers  ;  they  were  joined  by  the  con- 
ductor of  the  artillery  who  had  escaped,  and  from  his 
account  it  appeared  that  the  officer  was  not  dead,  and 
that  the  enemy  were  but  few  in  number.  After  the  par- 
ty had  advanced  a  mile,  an  artillery  man,  who  had  es- 


I 


I 


I 


'V. 


172 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  OPERATIONS 


1 

1' 

l'''jSm^$ 

Sk' 

'^^1 

1^  '' 

ii.^''#*ti 

Swffl    •'. 

ilm[]@ 

Wm 

1^^ 

^m 

lij  f  ft 


3f  ^-  r 


!■ 


caped  and  lay  hid  in  the  bushes,  came  out,  and  in- 
formed him  that  the  Lt.  Rynd  lay  not  far  off.  Lt.  Col. 
Simcoe  found  him  dreadfully  mangled  and  mortally 
wounded  ;  he  sent  for  an  ox  cart  from  a  neighbour- 
ing farm,  on  which  the  unfortunate  young  gentleman 
was  placed  :  the  rain  continued  in  a  violent  manner, 
which  precluded  all  pursuit  of  the  enemy ;  it  now 
grew  more  tempestuous,  and  ended  in  a  perfect  hur- 
ricane, accompanied  with  incessant  lightning.  This 
small  party  slowly  moved  back  toward  Herbert's  ferry, 
it  was  with  difficulty  that  the  drivers  and  attendants 
on  the  cart  could  find  their  way ;  the  soldiers  marched 
on  with  their  bayonets  fixed,  linked  in  ranks  together, 
covering  the  road.  The  creaking  of  the  waggon  and 
the  groans  of  the  youth  added  to  the  horror  of  the 
night ;  the  road  was  no  longer  to  be  traced  when  it 
quitted  the  woods,  and  it  was  a  great  satisfaction  that 
a  flash  of  lightning,  which  glared  among  the  ruins  of 
Norfolk,  disclosed  Herbert's  house.  Here  a  boat  was 
procured  which  conveyed  the  unhappy  youth  to  the 
hospital  ship,  where  ho  died  the  next  day  :  Lt  Col. 
Simcoo  barricaded  the  house  in  which  he  passed  the 
night. 

Gen.  Arnold  employed  the  garrison  in  fortifying  the 
post  at  Portsmouth,  the  primary  object  of  his  expe- 
dition :  the  same  line  to  the  front  was  occupied, 
which  Gen.  Leslie  had  begun.  On  the  29th  Lt.  Col. 
Simcoe  was  sent  to  fortify  the  post  at  Great  bridge ; 
much  lumber  that  was  found  there  was  floated  down 
to  Portsmouth ;  and  the  troops,  with  unremitted  at- 
tention, applied  themselves  to  raise  a  star  work, 


m 


OF  THE  queen's  RANGERS. 


173 


,  and  in- 

LtCol. 
mortally 
jighbour- 
entleman 
,  manner, 
•  it  now 
rfect  hur- 
ng.    This 
ert'9  ferry, 
attendants 
•s  marched 
s  together, 
iraggon  and 
rror  of  the 
ed  when  it 
faction  that 
Lhe  ruins  of 

a  boat  was 
louth  to  the 
ly  :  Lt  Col. 

passed  the 


which  commanded  the  bridge  and  the  causeway ;  it 
was  intended  to  abaty  the  ditch,  and  then  to  fill  it 
with  water,  which,  the  smaller  bridges  being  taken  up, 
would  have  effectually  prevented  a  surprise.    The 
rebels  continually  fired  at  night  on  the  sentinels,  and 
perfect  information  was  gained  of  a  party  being  in- 
tended for  that  purpose  :  the  extent  of  the  post  pre- 
vented any  ambuscade  from  being  laid  with  certainty, 
and  the  fatigue  the  men  underwent  in  the  day,  de- 
manded as  much  quiet  as  possible  during  the  night. 
A  figure  was  dressed  up  with  a  blanket  coat,  and 
posted  in  the  road,  by  which  the  enemy  would  proba- 
bly advance,  and  fires  resembling  those  of  a  piquet, 
were  placed  at  the  customary  distance  :  at  midnight 
the  rebels  arrived,  and  fired  twenty  or  thirty  shot  at 
the  eflSgy.    As  they  ran  across  the  road  they  expos- 
ed themselves  to  the  shots  of  two  sentinels,  they  then 
went  oflf.    The  next  day  an  officer  happening  to  come 
in  with  a  flag  of  truce,  he  was  shown  the  figure  and 
was  made  sensible  of  the  inhumanity  of  firing  at  a 
sentinel,  when  nothing   farther  was  intended :   this 
ridicule  probably  had  good  effects,  as  during  the  stay 
of  the  Queen's  Rangers  at  Great  bridge,  no  sentinel 
was  fired  at.    The  works  being  in  a  state  of  defence, 
and  capable  of  receiving  a  garrison,  the  Rangers  were 
reUeved  on  the  5th  of  February,  by  Major  Gordon 
with  a  detachment.     Col.  Dundas  arrived  that  day  and 
marched  out  with  the  Rangers,   and  part  of   the 
80th:    the   cavalry    soon   fell    in  with   a    patrole, 
which  Captain  Shank  pursued  over  Edmond's  bridge, 
dispersing  them  and  making  an  officer  prisoner.    The 
14 


•*:v^"5-.v: 


-1*  'l^- 


*  "•■   •     ;  •  ■   ■    ■ 
^*      '  '     ■ ' 


y- 


*  ,  ' 


m 


174 


JOURNAL  OF  TH£  OPERATIONS 


Rangers  returned  the  next  day  to  Portsmouth,  and 
were  constantly  employed  on  the  works  till  the  10th, 
when  Gen.  Arnold  thought  proper  to  detach  them  to 
Kemp's  landing.  The  disaffected  inhabitants  of  Prin- 
cess Ann,  for  the  most  part,  had  left  it ;  but  it  was 
much  infested  by  a  party  under  the  command  of  a 
New  Englander,  of  the  name  of  Weeks.  To  drive 
him  from  the  county  was  the  object  of  Lt.  Col.  Sim- 
coe's  march,  and  for  this  purpose,  he  detached  Capt. 
Ewald  with  the  Yagers,  and  a  party  of  the  Queen's 
Rangers  to  the  Great  bridge,  and  with  the  remainder 
of  the  corps  marched  to  Kemp's :  he  advanced  on  the 
IGth  up  the  country,  by  the  main  road  towards  the 
north-west  landing,  while  Capt.  Ewald,  by  almost  im- 
passable ways  and  bye  paths  proceeded  to  the  same 
point :  he  fortunately  surprised  and  totally  dispersed 
Weeks's  party.  The  next  day,  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  pro- 
ceeded with  a  detachnaent  of  cavalry  to  the  north- 
west landing :  Weeks  was  again  fallen  in  with,  and 
with  great  difficulty'  escaped  from  the  pursuit  of  the 
huzzars  into  a  swamp.  The  whole  corps  returned 
the  next  day  to  Kemp's ;  and  from  thence,  on  the 
18th,  to  Portsmouth*  The  north-west  landing  was 
the  only  passage  from  North  Carolina,  excepting  the 
Great  bridge,  and  this  excursion  was  luckily  timed. 
Gen.  Arnold,  on  the  13th  of  February,  receiving  in- 
formation of  the  arrival  of  three  French  ships  of  the 
line,  had  sent  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  orders  to  march  from 
Kemp's,  where  he  then  was,  to  the  Great  bridge,  in- 
timating that  he  should  send  up  boats  to  bring  off  the 
cannon,  and  that  the  post  should  be  withdrawn  if 


OF  THE  queen's  RANGERS. 


175 


lith,  and 
the  10th, 
them  to 
3  of  Prin- 
lut  it  was 
[\and  of  a 
To  drive 
Col.  Sim- 
hed  Capt. 
le  Queen's 
remainder 
iced  on  the 
jwards  the 
almost  im- 
3  the  same 
y  dispersed 
iimcoe  pro- 
the  north- 
L  with,  and 
rsuit  of  the 
)s  returned 
ice,  on  the 
landing  was 
itcepting  the 
ickily  timed, 
receiving  in- 
ships  of  the 
march  from 
It  bridge,  in- 
bring  off  the 
withdrawn  if 


necessary.  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  vn-ote  to  Gen.  Arnold, 
informing  him,  that  he  certainly  should  march  at  the 
time  prescribed  by  his  orders,  if  not  countermanded, 
giving  at  the  same  time  such  reasons  as  to  him  ap- 
peared most  forcible,  why  the  Great  bridge  should 
not  be  hastily  abandoned,  but  that  rather  Weeks  and 
his  party  should  be  driven  from  the  county  into  North 
Carolina ;  the  General  was  pleased  to  approve  of  his 
reasons,  and  on  the  16th  he  marched  against  Weeks 
as  has  been  related.  Gen.  Arnold,  in  case  Capt.  Sy- 
monds  thought  it  expedient,  offered  the  army  to  assist 
in  any  attacks  on  the  French  fleet ;  Captain  Alber- 
son,  the  gallant  master  of  the  Empress  of  Russia, 
Lt.  Col.  Simcoe's  transport,  was  anxious,  and  offered 
his  services,  to  lay  him  and  the  Queen's  Rangers  on 
board  any  of  the  French  ships.  The  army  was  em- 
ployed in  strengthening  their  works:  on  the  19th  the 
French  ships  left  the  bay.  Gen.  Arnold  had  issued  a 
proclamation,  for  the  inhabitants  of  Princess  Ann  to 
assemble  at  Kemp's  on  the  21st:  oh  that  day  the 
Queen's  Rangers  escorted  him  thither ;  and  Captain 
M'Kay,  of  that  corps,  was  left  at  this  post.  He  for- 
tified and  barricaded  his  quarters  in  the  best  manner 
possible,  and  having  some  dragoons  with  him  kept 
the  country  clear  of  small  parties. 

It  being  reported  that  Lord  Cornwallis  wac  near 
Petersburg,  Lieut.  Col.  Dundas  embarked  with  five 
hundred  men,  on  the  23d,  and  such  provisions  as  were 
thought  necessary,  to  make  a  diversion  in  his  Lord- 
ship's favour ;  but  more  certain  advices  of  his  opera- 
tions being  received,  he  returned. 


SI  li^frv' 


^1 


i 


*»  ♦  f' 


176 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  OPERATIONS 


rf  ■'*■  ■% 


■4 


Gen.  Arnold  ordered  Lt.  Col.  Dundas  to  march  at 
night  with  the  80th  regiment  and  the  cavalry,  to  en- 
deavour to  surprise  a  body  of  the  enemy,  within  eight 
or  nine  miles  of  Portsmouth,  upon  the  Suffolk  road, 
while  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe,  with  the  infantry  of  the  Rang- 
ers, embarked  in  boats  and  proceeded  by  water  to 
gain  their  rear  undiscovered.  The  plan  was  well  laid, 
nor  did  it  fail  through  any  fault  in  the  execution : 
when  Lieut.  Col.  Simcoe  landed  and  marched  on,  he 
found  a  party  sent  by  Lt.  Col.  Dundas  to  meet  him ; 
\h.e  enemy  had  flown.  Since  the  war  it  has  appeared, 
that  a  woman,  probably  a  double  spy,  left  Portsmouth 
half  an  hour  before  Colonel  Dundas  marched,  and 
gave  the  enemy  information. 

The  militia  assembling  at  Hampton,  Lt.  Col.  Dun- 
das passed  over  from  Portsmouth  to  dislodge  them. 
What  part  the  Rangers  bore  in  this  expedition,  can- 
not be  better  detailed  than  in  the  modest  recital  of 
Quarter-master  M'Gill,  who  went  with  Lt.  Col.  Dun- 
das, and  whose  bravery  and  conduct  were  honoured 
with  the  highest  commendations,  by  that  most  re- 
spectable officer :  "  Col.  Dundas  with  part  of  his 
"  regiment,  a  few  Yagers,  Lt.  Holland,  myself,  and 
"  twelve  huzzars,  of  the  Queen's  Rangers,  went  on  an 
"expedition  towards  Hampton.  We  embarked  on 
"  the  night  of  the  Cth  of  March,  and  landed  early 
"  next  morning  at  Newport-news,  from  thence  march- 
"  ed  to  a  village  about  three  miles  from  Hampton, 
"  where  we  destroyed  some  stores,  and  burned  four 
"  large  canoes  without  opposition  ;  but  on  our  return 
"  to  the  boats,  we  saw  about  two  hundred  mihtia 


OF  THE  queen's  RANGERS. 


177 


arch  at 
,  to  en- 
lin  eight 
)lk  road, 
le  Rang- 
vater  to 
well  laid, 
:ecution : 
id  on,  he 
lect  him . 
ippeared, 
trtsmouth 
;hed,  and 

Col.  Dun- 
(dge  them, 
ition,  can- 
recital  of 
Col.  Dun- 
honoured 
t  most  re- 
art  of  his 
lyself,  and 
went  on  an 
iharkcd  on 
tnded  early 
nee  march- 
Hampton, 
turned  four 
our  return 
[red  militia 


drawn  up  on  a  plain,  and  a  wet  ditch  in  front.     As 
I  was  advanced  with  the  huzzars,  and  first  saw  them, 
I  informed  the  Colonel,  and  at  the  same  time  asked 
his  permission  to  advance  against  them,  without 
thinking  of  Lt.  Holland,  whom  in  truth  I  did  not  see 
at  the  time.    He  granted  my  request,  and  ordered 
the  mounted  men  of  the  80th  to  join  me,  who  had, 
as  well  as  the  Rangers,  been  mounted  in  the  morn- 
ing upon  the  march  :  with  these,  and  some  officers 
of  the  80th,  who  had  also  got  horses,  we  made  up 
twenty-six  horsemen.    The  rebels  Avere  about  three 
hundred  yards  from  the  road  ;  and  I  had  to  wheel 
to  the  left,  full  in  their  view,  which  discovered  our 
numbers,  and,  I  believe,  encouraged  them  a  good 
'  deal,  as  they  did  not  fire  until  we  were  within  thirty 
'yards  of  them :  this  checked  us,  and  gave  them  time 
'  to  give  us  a  second  salute,  but  not  with  the  same 
'  eflfect ;  fi^r,  with  the  first,  they  killed  Capt.  Stewart, 
'  of  the  80th,  wounded  Lieut.  Salisbury,  of  the  navy, 
'  who  commanded  the  boats,  and  came  for  pleasure. 
Col.  Dundas,  myself,  and  Serjeant  Galloway,  were 
'  unhorsed,  and  some  of  the  infantry,  who  were  an 
'  hundred  yards  in  our  rear,  were  wounded.    Poor 
Galloway  lamented  the  loss  of  the  heel  of  his  boot, 
'  which  was  shot  away,  more  than  the  wound  he  re- 
'  ceived.     My  horse  had  three  balls  through  him,  and 
'  he  received  a  fourth  before  all  was  over.    It  was 
'  much  against  us,  that  we  were  obliged  to  advance 
'  on  the  centre  of  the  rebels,  a  thick  wood  bounding 
both  their  flanks,  otherwise  I  thought  to  have  made 
'  them  give  an  oblique  fire  as  the  least  destructive  j 
14* 


mm': 


S.S.      ■  t  < 


■■■  i:l-:l\::  ■■■- 

ill'-  t.-:. 


I 


n 


%  : 


I 

1 

I 


.11 


"  ■  'I 


178 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  OPERATIONS 


"  however,  we  happily  broke  them  before  they  could 
"  attempt  a  third  fire,  and  the  infantry  coming  amon<T 
"  them  did  good  service.  The  rebels  had  sixty  killed, 
"  wounded,  and  taken  :  among  the  latter  was  their 
"  commander.  Col.  Curl,  and  a  few  of  their  officers. 
"  I  cannot  ascertain  our  loss  more  than  I  have  men- 
"  tioned ;  they  let  us  embark  quietly,  and  we  landed 
"  at  Portsmouth  the  same  evening." 

General  Arnold  having  information  that  some  of 
the  enemy's  Continental  forces  were  at  Williamsburg, 
sent  Lt.  Allen,  of  the  Queen's  Rangers,  in  a  boat  to 
land  at  night,  and  gain  information.  This  intelligent 
officer  executed  his  commission  much  to  the  General's 
satisfaction ;  and  Lt.  Col.  Dundas  embarked  with  part 
of  the  80th  regiment  and  the  Queen's  Rangers,  to 
endeavour  to  surprise  them :  he  fell  down  the  Ehza- 
beth  river  in  the  evening  ;  but  at  its  mouth,  the  night 
became  so  very  dark  and  tempestuous,  as  to  render 
the  attempt  totally  impracticable.  It  was  with  diffi- 
culty that  the  troops  reached  Newport-news,  a  point 
on  the  enemy's  shore,  where  they  landed  and  passed 
the  night  unmolested  ;  and  the  next  day  returned  to 
Portsmouth  :  fortunately,  by  the  skill  of  the  naval 
conductor,  and  Lt.  Col.  Dundas's  indefatigable  atten- 
tion, not  a  single  boat  foundered. 

There  being  indications  that  a  serious  attack  upon 
Portsmouth  was  in  agitation,  Gen.  Arnold  was  very 
active  in  putting  it  into  a  respectable  state  of  defence. 
Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  had  given  his  opinion,  by  letter  to 
the  Commander  in  Chief,  "  that  Portsmouth,  con- 
"  sidered  as  a  post  was  very  weak ;  from  its  extent. 


OF  THE  queen's  RANGERS. 


179 


ley  could 
ig  among 
xty  killed, 
was  their 
r  officers, 
lave  men- 
we  landed 

it  some  of 
liamsburg, 
a  boat  to 
intelligent 
e  General's 
id  with  part 
langers,  to 
the  EUza- 
h,  the  night 
IS  to  render 
s  with  diffi- 
;ws,  a  point 
and  passed 
returned  to 
the  naval 
(Table  atten- 


attack  upon 
)ld  was  very 
of  defence, 
by  letter  to 
nouth,  con- 
[n  its  extent, 


"  and  from  its  left  being  so  entirely  flanked,  that  its 
"  whole  front  was  taken  in  reverse  ;  I  conceive  it  to 
"  be  tenable  against  any  force  in  this  country :"  it  did 
not  appear  to  be  a  proper  situation  for  a  small  garri- 
son; but  looked  upon  as  an  entrenched  camp,  it 
might  be  made  a  respectable  one  ;  nor  was  it,  and  its 
dependencies,  ill  suited  for  combined  defence,  and  the 
preserving  a  small  naval  and  military  force  from  the 
operations  of  a  superior  armament.  To  explain  this 
opinion,  it  is  necessary  to  observe,  that  directly  op- 
posite to  Portsmouth  a  branch  of  the  Elizabeth  river, 
which  it  stands  upon,  ran  eastward,  dividing  Her- 
bert's point  from  Norfolk :  this  eastern  branch  was 
not  to  be  forded  within  eight  miles.  The  occupying 
a  good  redoubt  at  Norfolk,  another  at  Herbert's  point, 
and  re-establishing  an  old  work  at  Mill  point  below 
Portsmouth,  would  reduce  any  force  which,  in  the 
present  appearance  of  affairs,  was  likely  to  be  brought 
against  Gen.  Arnold's  army,  to  a  direct  assault  on 
some  part,  as  it  was  evident,  the  regular  siege  of  the 
whole,  or  any  single  work,  would  take  up  more  time 
than  any  French  squadron  could  venture  to  employ 
before  it.  Gen.  Arnold  had  constructed  a  great  many- 
boats,  excellently  adapted  for  the  transportation  of 
soldiers,  and  capable  of  carrying  eighty  men  besides 
the  rowers  ;  by  these  means,  he  had  it  in  his  power 
to  reinforce  any  of  the  points  within  ten  minutes.  Lt. 
Col.  Simcoe  had  previously  sounded  all  the  creeks,  at 
low  water,  with  Capt.  Richard  Graves,  of  the  royal 
navy  ;  and  that  officer,  upon  leaving  Portsmouth  to 
go  to  Hampton  road,  sent  him  on  the  14th  of  March 


iyji 


I 


180 


JOURNAL  or  THE  OPERATIONS 


j  mmm  ^ 

■    ■■•■'!  s  «.■;■.  ■ '     ; 


) 


his  opinion  on  the  subject  of  forming  a  regular  sys- 
tem of  defence,  applicable  to  the  stationing  of  the 
ships  under  Captain  Symonds,  (the  largest  of  which 
was  the  Charon  of  44  guns,)  from  Mill  point  to  the 
brewery,  at  Norfolk.  "  Three  ships  he  observed  can 
"  be  placed  in  an  oblique  line,  mooring  across  the 
"  channel  one  third  of  a  cable  each  way,  besides  two 
"  ships  lying  in  the  intervals  at  the  same  distance, 
"  either  in  front  or  rear,  which,  in  my  opinion,  with 
"  vessels  sunk  and  proper  dispositions  made  of  fire 
"  vessels,  may  effectually  stop  the  passage."  Lt.  Col. 
Simcoe  had  converted  the  bodies  of  his  waggons  into 
small  pontoons,  capable  of  holding  six  men,  as  boats, 
and  well  adapted  to  form  bridges  over  the  small  creeks 
in  the  country,  through  which,  if  it  had  become  ne- 
cessary to  quit  Portsmouth,  the  retreat  might  have 
been  made,  by  the  north-west  landing  to  North  Caro- 
lina. These  were  the  opinions  which  he  had  always 
held  when  any  conversation  took  place  upon  the  sub- 
ject ;  and  the  system  of  defence  is  the  same  which 
appears  on  his  arrival,  to  have  been  thought  of  by 
Gen.  Phillips.  Much  would  have  depended  on  the 
science  of  the  enemy's  General,  The  ground  of 
Portsmouth  was  not  only  enfiladed  on  the  left  flank, 
but  the  enemy  had  on  the  right,  favourable  positions 
to  place  their  batteries  wherever  they  advanced  to  the 
assault ;  and,  if  the  points  on  the  river  could  not  be 
secured,  the  fleet  nuist  inevitably  fall  into  their  handrt, 
without  contributing  to  the  defence  of  the  place.  The 
garrison  was  in  great  spirits,  full  of  confidence  in  the 
daring  courage  of  Gen.  Arnold  ;  and  the  enemy  had 


i  -;  ■■  ■:■■"    •■•■■;■]■ 


OF  THE  queen's  RANGERS. 


181 


every  thing  to  fear  from  a  sally.  About  this  time  a 
singular  event  took  place  :  the  passage  from  the  Great 
bridge  upon  Elizabeth  river  had  hitherto  been  secure  ; 
but  a  party  of  the  enemy  from  its  banks  fired  upon  a 
gun-boat,  that  was  returning  with  the  baggage  of  the 
detachment  which  had  been  relieved;  and  having 
wounded  some  of  the  people  in  it,  took  the  boat. 
Capt.  Stevenson,  who  had  commanded  at  the  Great 
bridge,  lost  his  baggage  ;  and  among  his  papers  was 
found  a  fictitious  letter,  which  he  had  written  by  way 
of  amusement,  and  of  passing  his  time,  to  Gen.  Gre- 
gory, who  conmianded  the  North  Carolina  militia  at 
the  West  landing,  detailing  a  plan  which  that  officer 
was  to  follow  to  surrender  his  troops  to  Lt.  Col.  Sim- 
coe  :  the  whole  plausibly  written  and  bearing  with  it 
every  appearance  of  being  concerted.  The  manner 
of  its  tailing  into  the  enemy's  hands  strengthened 
these  appearances ;  at  first  it  served  for  laughter  to 
the  officers  of  the  Hangers  ;  but  when  it  was  under- 
stood that  Gen.  Gregory  was  put  in  arrest,  Capt.  Ste- 
venson's humanity  was  alarmed,  and  the  letters,  which 
arc  in  the  appendix,  passed  between  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe 
and  C'ol.  Parker,  who  had  taken  the  boat :  they  pre- 
vented all  further  bad  consecii'ences.  The  (ilh  of 
March,  Gen.  Arnold  ordered  Jit.  Col.  Simcoe  to  send 
two  or  three  small  parties  every  night,  from  the  picjuet, 
as  far,  or  a  little  beyond  the  cross  roads,  four  miles  in 
front  of  Portsmouth  :  tlu'v  were  to  consist  of  four  or 
five  men.  The  woods,  to  the  right  and  left  of  the 
road,  being  intersected  with  j)aths  on  which  the  ene- 
my generally  patrolled,  rendered  their   destruction 


•  .  1 


I 


fiff. 

.<Vl  >/  *. 


':  M 


182 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  OPERATIONS 


almost  inevitable ;  two  of  them,  one  of  the  Yagers 
and  another  of  the  Rangers,  being  taken,  they  were 
discontinued.    The  enemy  assembling  in  force,  the 
troops  were  constantly  under  arms  at  four  o'clock  in 
the  morning,  at  their  alarm  post,  if  the  weather  was 
favourable  ;  if  otherwise,  at  their  respective  barracks. 
There  being  various  reports  of  the  enemy  making 
a  road  through  the  dismal  swamp  to  the  left  of  Great 
bridge,  and  small  parties  infesting  the  country,  Lieut. 
Col.  Simcoe  marched  the  10th  of  March  to  the  Great 
bridge.    Capt.  M'Kay,  who  commanded  at  Kemp's, 
had  received  information,  that  Weeks  was  to  pass 
over  on  the  night  of  the  11th,  and  that  he  would  be 
at  a  house  between  the  Great  bridge  and  Kemp's  :  he 
proposed  to  Lieut.  Col.  Simcoe  to  surprise  him,  and 
Gen.  Arnold  approved  of  it ;  as  it  was  necessary  to 
check  every  iiiruud  into  Princess  Ann.     Capt.  M'Kay 
marched  at  a  concerted  hour  from  Kemp's,  and  Lieut. 
Col.  Simcoe  from  the  Great  bridge,  in  order  to  sup- 
port him.     '^he  former  met  the  enemy  before  he  ar- 
rived at  the  place  whore  he  expected  to  find  them ; 
and  he  instantly  detached  I^t.  Dunlop  to  their  rear, 
who  attacked,  and  efibctually  surprised  thorn :  eight 
or  ten  were  killed  or  taken.     In  the  pocket  of  the 
Lieutenant,  who  was  killed,  was  found  a  letter  saying, 
to  his  Captain,  "  that  with  four  or  five  men,  he  could 
"  every  night  seize  one  or  two  of  the  refractory  men 
"  belonging  to  his  company."     These  violences  were 
necessary  to  force  the  militia,  of  the  lower  counties 
of  Virginia,  to  arms.     The  Queen's  Rangers  returned 
the  next  day  to  Portsmouth,  as  did  Capt.  M'Kay  to 


ii 


OF  THE  QUEEN^S  RANGERS. 


183 


le  Yagers 
hey  were 
force,  the 
o'clock  in 
ather  was 
!  barracks, 
ny  making 
ft  of  Great 
itry,  Lieut. 
)  the  Great 
at  Kemp's, 
as  to  pass 
le  would  be 
Kemp's :  he 
se  him,  and 
ccessary  to 
papt.  M'Kay 
,  and  Lieut. 
|rder  to  sup- 
cfore  he  ar- 
find  them ; 
their  rear, 
|thom:  eight 
cket  of  the 
letter  saying, 
en,  he  coukl 
Vactory  men 
Icncos  were 
►  or  counties 
ircrs  returned 
t.  M'Kay  to 


Kemp's ;  which  post,  he  maintained  with  singular 
vigilance  and  propriety.     Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  thought  it 
proper,  in  public  orders,  to  desire,  "  That  his  best 
"  thanks  might  be  accepted  by  Lt.  St.  Jphn  Dunlop, 
"and  the  party  under  his  command,  for  their  obedi- 
"  ence  to  their  orders,  and  gallantry  in  the  surprise  of 
"  a  rebel  party,  the  night  of  the  11th  instant.     The 
"  Lt.  Colonel  is  satisfied,  that  if  the  information  Capt. 
"  M'Kay  received  had  been  true,  the  rebel  banditti  he 
"  marched  against  would  have  been  annihilated  in 
"  consequence   of   his   proper  disposition,  and  the 
"  steadiness   of  the  officers  and  soldiers  under  his 
"  command.    It  is  with  great  pleasure  the  Lieutenant- 
"  Colonel  hears  of  the  orderly  and  soldier-like  be- 
"  haviour  of  the  whole  party  stationed  at  Kemp's  :  he 
"  hopes  the  regiment  will  equally  pride  themselves  in 
"  protecting,  as  in  the  present  case,  the  unarmed  in- 
"  habitants  of  the  country,  as  in  scourging  the  armed 
"  banditti  who  oppress  it."     The  Great  bridge  was 
situated  at  the  head  of  Elizabeth  river,  close  to  the 
great  dismal  swamp,  from  whence  it  rises.     It  was 
the  great  road,  while  Norfolk  was  in  affluence,  oe- 
tween  that  town  and  North  Carolina  :  small  parties 
only  could  pass  through  the  swamps,  the  season  be- 
ing unconunonly  dry  ;  but  the  surprisal  of  that  which 
had  attempted  it,  rendered  it  not  very  advisable.  The 
post  was  easily  to  b(!  maintained  until  such  time  as 
an  enemy  should  venture  to  throw  bridges  over  the 
Elizabeth  river,  between  the  Great  bridge  and  Ports- 
mouth ;  and  then,  it  was  to  be  weighed  whether  a 
hundred  men,  the  usual  garrison  of  the  Great  bridge 


iK  .- 


1 


184 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  OPERATIONS 


{ 


'■mm  - 


■,v.,-.    ,■  ..■ 


would  not  find  more  employment  for  an  enemy,  and 
be  more  than  adequate  to  any  services  the  same  num- 
ber could  be  of,  in  Portsmouth.  Like  other  field 
works  it  could  not  hold  out  a  moment  against  mor- 
tars :  it  was  calculated  to  keep  the  Carolina  militia 
out  of  Princess  Ann,  and  every  hour  that  this  could 
be  done  was  of  great  importance  :  the  hopes  of  plun- 
der and  the  certainty  of  their  escaping,  would  have 
deluged  the  country  with  this  banditti.  About  this 
time,  Capt.  M'Crea,  of  the  Queen's  Rangers,  having 
the  command  of  this  post,  with  that  gallantry  which 
had  so  eminently  distinguished  him  at  Kingsbridgc, 
on  the  first  formation  of  the  Rangers,  sallied  upon  a 
party  of  the  enemy,  who  had  frequently  fired  upon 
his  sentinels,  surprised  them,  put  them  to  the  rout 
and  pinned  a  label  upon  one  of  the  men  who  had -been 
killed,  threatening  to  lay  in  ashes  any  house,  near  his 
front,  that  they  should  harbour  in.  This  vigorous 
sally  had  its  use  :  the  enemy,  as  their  custom  was 
when  they  were  corrected,  complained  of  cruelty, 
and  Gen.  Muhlenberg  wrote  to  Gen.  Arnold  on  that 
subject.  Lt.  Col.  Simcoc  had  also  some  correspond- 
ence, on  this  subject,  with  Col.  Parker,  a  gentleman 
of  more  hberality  than  was  commonly  found  in  those 
who  commanded  parties  of  the  militia.  Capt.  M'Crea 
had  taken  two  prisoners,  they  were  offered  to  be  ex- 
changed for  Ellison,  the  gallant  huzzar  who  had  sig- 
nalised himself  at  the  battle  of  Monmouth,  and  ano- 
ther soldier,  who,  their  horses  being  killed,  had  been 
taken  in  a  skirmish,  a  few  days  before,  towards  the 
north-west  landing  ;  but  so  little  did  the  enemy  value 


■  t.-  ■ 


lemy,  and 
ame  num- 
>ther  field 
a,inst  mor- 
ina  militia 
this  could 
es  of  plun- 
j'ould  have 
About  this 
ers,  having 
intry  which 
:ingsbridgc, 
lied  upon  a 
fired  upon 
to  the  rout 
ho  had -been 
use,  near  his 
liis  vigorous 
custom  was 
of  crueUy, 
(lold  on  that 
correspond- 
a  gentleman 
lund  in  those 
:apt.  M'Crea 
•ed  to  he  ex- 
ho  had  sig- 
ith,  and  ano- 
id,  had  been 
towards  tbc 
enemy  value 


OF  THE  queen's  RANGERS. 


185 


their  militia,  that  it  was  refused  on  the  ungenerous 
plea  of  their  having  been  wounded.  It  is  not  impro- 
bable but  the  unfortunate  men  might  have  been  loy- 
alists, averse  from  the  service  of  the  rebels  and  forced 
into  it:  Ellison  was  soon  after  exchanged:  he  had 
been  ill-treated  while  prisoner ;  but  nothing  hurt  him 
equally  with  the  being  robbed  of  the  silver  half  moon 
which  he  wore  on  his  huzzar  cap,  with  the  word 
"  Monmouth"  engraven  on  it,  as  a  mark  of  his  bravery 
in  that  action. 

On  the  18th  of  March,  Gen.  Arnold  gave  orders 
for  every  person  to  work  on  the  lines,  and  the  town 
people,  who  should  refuse,  to  quit  it.  M.  de  La  Fay- 
ette appeared  in  the  front  of  the  works,  and  the 
Yager  piquet,  posted  near  the  head  of  Scott's  creek, 
was  attacked  in  force  :  a  deep  ravine  passable  at  this 
post,  and  above  it,  separated  them  from  the  enemy. 
Capt.  Ewald  was  with  his  piquet,  and  by  demonstra- 
tions and  the  countenance  of  his  people,  more  than 
once  checked  the  enemy,  who  showed  every  inclina- 
tion to  pass  over  the  gully,  and  totally  prevented 
them  from  reconnoitering  the  right  of  Portsmouth : 
Capt.  Ewald  was  wounded.  Gen.  Arnold  in  his  letter 
to  Sir  Henry  Clinton  says,  "  That  he  did  not  think  it 
"  prudent  to  leuve  his  works  and  sally,  as  Lieut.  Col. 
"  Simcoe  was  in  Princess  Ann  with  near  four  hundred 
"  men."  It  is  not  improbable  that  the  enemy  had  in- 
telligence of  the  Queen's  Rangers  being  detached  to 
secure  forage,  &c.,  as  on  Lieut.  Col.  Simcoe's  return, 
the  small  bridges  were  destroyed  between  Kemp's  and 
Portsmouth  ;  which,  thougii  they  were  but  trifling 
15 


i  II 
.  ii 


;i.tV*-!.*i.;".// 


A 


f 


I 


186 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  OPERATIONS 


impediments,  must  have  been  done  by  a  lurking  par- 
ty, or  the  disaffected  of  the  country,  in  consequence 
of  some  concerted  order.  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe,  to  whom 
the  Yagers  had  been  attached,  felt  this  a  proper  op- 
portunity to  represent  Captain  Ewald's  conduct  and 
gallantry  to  Gen.  Kniphausen. 

On  information  of  a  squadron  with  French  colours 
being  at  anchor,  on  the  19th,  in  Lynnhaven  bay,  Lt. 
Col.  Simcoe  was  sent  there  with  a  patrole,  to  observe 
them :  he  had  the  pleasure  to  find  that  it  was  Admi- 
ral Arbuthnot's  fleet,  and  to  see  a  rebel  cruiser,  de- 
ceived by  their  colours,  taken  by  them.  The  action 
which  the  Admiral  had  with  the  French  fleet,  saved 
the  armament  in  Virginia  from  a  serious  attack.  Gen. 
Arnold  had  received  information,  from  the  officer  at 
the  Great  bridge,  that  General  Gregory,  on  the  18th, 
had  approached  within  two  miles  of  him,  with  six 
pieces  of  cannon  and  twelve  hundred  men :  General 
Arnold  sent  him  orders,  "  To  defend  it  to  the  last 
"  extremity  ;"  and  then  directed  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe,  after 
he  had  informed  himself  what  fleet  was  below,  to  take 
such  measures  as  he  thought  necessary  respecting  the 
Great  bridge ;  the  situation  of  which  has  been  here- 
tofore staled. 

Gen.  Phillips  arrived  on  the  27th  of  March,  and 
was  soon  followed  by  the  forces  under  his  command. 
The  light  infantry  went  into  cantonments  at  Kemp's, 
and  the  Queen's  Rangers  at  New  Town,  under  in- 
structions to  hold  themselves  liable  to  move  on  the 
shortest  notice,  and  in  case  of  Lieut.  Col.  Abercrom- 


(  .     '  > 


I.* 


..;'?'vii 


OF  THE  QUEEN^S  RANGERS. 


187 


rking  par- 
nsequence 
I,  to  whom 
iroper  op- 
mduct  and 

ich  colours 
;n  bay,  Lt. 
to  observe 
was  Admi- 
cruiser,  de- 
The  action 
fleet,  saved 
ttack.  Gen. 
tie  officer  at 
m  the  18th, 
m,  with  six 
n:  General 
t  to  the  last 
limcoe,  after 
low,  to  take 
•specting  the 
i  been  here- 


March,  and 
command. 
s  at  Kemp's, 
under  in- 
nove  on  the 
.  Abcrcroni- 


is 


n 


bie's  requisition,  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  was  to  place  him- 
self under  his  orders. 

Tliere  being  every  appearance  of  the  army  taking 
the  field,  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  made  application  to  Gen. 
Phillips,  for  the  same  number  of  artillerymen  to  his 
cannon  as  had  been  attached  to  them  on  similar  oc- 
casions. The  General  chose  only  to  allow  him  some 
men  for  a  short  time,  to  instruct  soldiers  of  the  Queen's 
Rangers :  this  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  declined.  His  corps 
was  Aveak  in  numbers,  and  he  considered  the  number 
of  men,  who  must  have  attended  his  guns,  more  use- 
ful with  their  muskets :  while  the  corps  acted  sepa- 
rately, cannon  always  furnished  a  reason  for  an  ene- 
my to  avoid  action.  In  some  situations,  even  such 
contemptible  guns  as  three-pounders  might  be  of  great 
use,  in  particular,  in  defence  of  a  house  or  any  posi- 
tion which  might  enable  a  corps,  in  case  of  necessity, 
to  rally ;  but  the  Queen's  Rangers  were  now  not  like- 
ly to  be  detached,  and  if  they  were  and  it  became 
necessary,  the  Commander  of  the  army  would  send 
them  cannon.  The  three-pounder  and  amuzette  were 
therefore  sent  to  the  artillery  park  on  the  20th  of 
April ;  the  Commander  in  Chief  was  pleased  to  add 
Capt.  Diemar's  troop  of  huzzars,  then  at  New- York, 
to  the  Queen's  Rangers,  and  they  were  placed  under 
the  command  of  Capt.  Cooke. 

Gen.  Phillips  gave  out  the  following  orders  for  ex- 
ercising the  troops,  |)reparatory  to  their  taking  the 
field  :  "  It  is  the  Major  General's  wish,  that  the  troops 
"  under  his  command  may  practice  forming  from  two 
"  to  three  and  to  four  deep ;  and  that  they  should  be 


If 


188 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  OPERATIONS 


% 


m :. 


"  accustomed  to  charge  in  all  those  orders.  In  the 
"  latter  orders,  of  the  three  and  four  deep,  the  files 
"  will,  in  course,  be  closer,  so  as  to  render  a  charge 
"  of  the  greatest  force.  The  Major  General  also  re- 
"  commends  to  regiments  the  practice  of  dividing  the 
"  battalions,  by  wings  or  otherwise,  so  that  one  line 
"  may  support  the  other  when  an  attack  is  supposed ; 
"  and,  when  a  retreat  is  supposed,  that  the  first  line 
"  may  retrea'  through  the  intervals  of  the  second,  the 
"  second  doubling  up  its  divisions  for  that  purpose,  and 
"  forming  up  again  in  order  to  check  the  enemy  who 
"  may  be  supposed  to  have  pressed  the  first  line.  The 
"  Major  General  would  approve  also  of  one  division 
"  of  a  battalion  attacking  in  the  common  open  order 
"  of  two  deep,  to  be  supported  by  the  other  compact  di- 
"  vision  as  a  second  line,  in  a  charging  order  of  three 
"  or  four  deep.  The  gaining  the  flanks  also  of  a  sup- 
"  posed  enemy,  by  the  quick  movements  of  a  division 
"  in  common  open  order,  while  the  compact  division 
"  advances  to  a  charge ;  and  such  other  evolutions, 
"  as  may  lead  the  regiments  to  a  custom  of  depend- 
"  ing  on  and  mutually  supporting  each  other ;  so  that 
"  should  one  part  be  pressed  or  broken,  it  may  be  ac- 
"  customed  to  form  again  without  confusion,  under 
"the  protection  of  a  second  line,  or  any  regular 
"  formed  division."  These  orders,  so  proper  in  them- 
selves, and  now  peculiarly  useful,  as  no  Hessian  troops, 
who  usually  formed  the  firm  and  solid  second  line  to 
the  British,  were  to  embark  on  the  expedition,  were 
not  meant  to  aflect  the  general  manceuvrcs  of  the  light 
troops  :  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  was  permitted  to  adopt  such 


OF  THE  QUi       'S  RAXGERS. 


189 


In  the 

the  files 
a,  charge 
I  also  re- 
dding the 

one  Une 
upposed ; 

first  hne 
jcond,  the 
rpose,  and 
\emy  who 
hne.    The 
le  division 
Dpen  order 
compact  di- 
ler  of  three 
so  of  a  sup- 
,f  a  division 
act  division 

evolutions, 

of  depend- 


only  as  he  thought  applicable  to  that  service.  The 
works  at  Portsmouth  being  completed,  the  troops  em- 
barked on  the  18th  of  April,  and  fell  down  to  Hampton 
road.  Gen.  Phillips  informed  the  officers  commanding 
corps,  in  writing,  that  the  first  object  of  the  expedi- 
tion was  to  surprise,  if  possible,  a  body  of  the  enemy 
stationed  at  Williamsburgh,  at  any  rate  to  attack 
them :  at  the  same  time  he  detailed  the  plan  of  ope- 
rations. The  Rangers  were  of  Gen.  Arnold's  division, 
which  was  destined  to  land  below  Williamsburg,  and 
to  co-operate  with  that  under  Lt.  Colonel  Abercrom- 
bie,  which  was  to  land  above  it.  The  following  orders 
were  more  peculiar  to  the  Queen's  Rangers :  "  a  de- 
tachment of  Hessian  Yagers  will  be  attached  to  the  light 
infantry  and  Queen's  Rangers,  with  which  corps  they 
have  so  often  acted,  that  it  is  unnecessary  to  give  any 
directions  concerning  them ;  and  they  will,  in  course, 
be  always  protected  by  bayonets,  both  as  sentinels 
and  patroles.  Should  the  enemy  retreat,  upon  intelli- 
gence of  the  enterprise  against  them,  or  be  forced  by 
an  attack  to  retire,  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  will  proceed  with 
the  utmost  diligence  to  York  Town,  and  there,  under 
every  description  of  caution,  endeavour  to  gain  the 
rear  of  the  enemy's  batteries,  and  of  the  post ;  but 
should  he,  by  certain  intelligence  and  observations,  bo 
convinced  of  there  being  closed  works  with  troops  in 
them,  he  is  to  make  an  immediate  report  of  it,  and 
not  to  attack  such  works  without  further  orders.  It 
is  not  the  intention  to  risk  the  loss  of  men  upon  any 
attack  at  York  Town,  nor  delay  by  any  attack  there 
the  progress  of  the  intended  expedition.  Should, 
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however,  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  gain  possession  of  York 
Town,  he  will  hoist  a  red  flag,  and  fire,  if  possible,  sig- 
nal guns,  and  at  night  light  two  or  three  fires  at  dif- 
ferent places  upon  the  shore  :  these  are  intended  to 
give  the  Bonetta  sloop  of  war  notice  of  York  Town 
being  possessed  by  the  King's  troops,  on  which  that 
vessel  will  move  up  the  river ;  and  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe 
will,  in  that  case,  consult  with  Capt.  Dundass,  the 
commander  of  the  Bonetta,  how  it  may  be  best  to  act 
for  destroying  the  armed  and  other  vessels  in  that 
river,  and  also  take  every  means  for  putting  the  en- 
emy's cannon  at  York  Town  into  that  armed  vessel. 
It  is  to  be  wished  that  this  detailed  operation  may  not 
take  up  more  than  forty  eight  hours."    The  troops 
arrived  off"  Burrell's  ferry  on  the  19th ;  Lt.  Col.  Sim- 
coe was  directed  to  land  in  such  manner  as  he  thought 
proper.    The  enemy  had  thrown  up  entrenchments  to 
secure  the  landing,  and  these  appeared  to  be  fully  man- 
ned.   The  boats  were  assembled  at  the  small  ves- 
sel on  board  which  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  was,  which  was 
anchored  about  two  miles  from  the  shore.     Near  a 
mile  below  the  ferry  was  a  small  creek  which  ran  a 
little  %vay  into  the  land,  from  James  river ;  and  at  the 
point  formed  by  this  separation,  it  was  determined  to 
land.    Capt.  Ewald  being  disabled  by  his  wound  from 
accompanying  the  expedition,  the  Yagers  were  divided 
between  the  Queen's   Rangers  and  light  infantry; 
Capt.  Althause's  company  of  riflemen  was  also  un- 
der the  command  of  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe.    The  boats, 
preceded  by  the  gun-boat,  moved  directly  towards 
Burrell's  ferry  :  on  a  signal  given,  they  all,  except  the 


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OF  THE  queen's  RANGERS. 


191 


gun-boat,  turned  and  rowed  rapidly  towards  the  f>oint, 
where  the  landing  was  to  take  place,  assisted  by  the 
wind  and  tide ;  Major  Armstrong,  who  commanded 
it,  was  desired  to  keep  out  of  the  reach  of  musket 
shot,  and  to  fire  his  six  pounder  at  the  entrenchments, 
and  particularly  to  scour  a  gully  on  the  left,  which  the 
enemy  must  pass  if  they  meant  any  opposition.     The 
troops  disembarked  as  intended ;  Capt.  M'Kay  with  a 
detachment  of  the  Queen's  Rangers  and  Yagers,  land- 
ing below  the  inlet,  to  beat  up  any  party  who  might 
be  in  ambuscade  there,  and  to  give  greater  security  to 
the  right  flank  in  case  the  enemy  should  attack  the 
corps.     Lieut.  Col.  Simcoe  met  no  opposition  in  his 
march  to  Burrell's  ferry,  from  whence  the  enemy  fled 
with  precipitation,  and  where  Gen.  Phillips  with  the 
army  immediately  landed.    Fifty-six  horses  of  the 
Queen's  Rangers  had  been  embarked,  those  of  offi- 
cers included :    the  dismounted  men  brought  with 
them  their  saddles  and  accoutrements.     Gen.  Phillips 
ordered  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  to  proceed  to  York  Town, 
where,  it  was  understood,  that  there  were  only  the 
artillerymen,  who  superintended  the  battery,  and  a 
few  mihtia.     He   marched  accordingly  with   forty 
cavalry,  accompanied  by  Major  Damcr,  who  acted  as 
Adjutant  General  to  Gen.  Phillips  :  the  infantry  of 
the  Queen's  Rangers  proceeded  with   the  army  to 
Williamsburg.     The  night  was  uncommonly  dark  and 
tempestuous,  and  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  found  himself  un- 
der the  necessity  of  halting  at  a  farm-houso,  during 
its  continuance  :  in  the  morning  he  gallopprd  into  the 
town,  surprised  and  secured  a  few  of  the  artillcry- 


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JOURNAL  OF  THE  OPERATIONS 


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men,  the  others  made  off  in  a  boat.  He  directed  the 
guns  of  the  batteries,  already  loaded,  to  be  fired,  as 
a  signal  to  the  Bonetta  sloop,  which  sailed  up  and 
anchored  off  the  town ;  and  he  burnt  a  range  of  the 
rebel  barracks.  Upon  the  hearing  of  cannon  at  Wil- 
hamsburg,  the  party  returned  thither ;  and  it  appear- 
ed, that  there  had  only  been  a  skirmish  at  the  out- 
post of  that  place,  where  the  troops  had  arrived  the 
preceding  evening  without  molestation:  Quarter- 
Master  M'Gill,  with  some  of  the  huzzars  of  the 
Queen's  Rangers,  having  charged  and  dispersed  the 
only  patrole  of  the  enemy  who  had  appeared  in  the 
front.  General  Phillips  asked  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe,  when 
he  waited  upon  him  to  make  his  report,  how  many 
men  would  it  require  to  defend  York  Town  ?  and  on 
his  hesitating,  with  great  quickness,  said  "Four 
"hundred,  five  hundred,  a  thousand,"  and  seemed 
greatly  surprised  when  ho  replied  two  thousand :  this 
was  the  only  conversation  that  passed  between  them 
on  the  subject.  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  had  no  order  to  re- 
connoitre the  ground,  and  what  he  did  observe  was 
merely  for  liis  own  information;  and  the  number  of 
troops  necessary  for  its  defence  against  the  American 
forces,  he  guessed  at,  on  the  supposition  of  its  being 
properly  fortified,  and  above  all  made  bomb  proof, 
without  which  he  knew  all  fortifications  to  be  useless, 
and  which  he  had  stated,  at  a  period  in  which  there 
was  not  a  bomb  proof  in  any  of  the  British  fortifica- 
tions, as  absolutely  necessary  in  his  plan  for  the  oc- 
cupation of  llillingsport.  The  army  marched  to 
Barret's  ferry,  near  the  Chickahominy,  and  embarked 


■'4''  .' 


OF  THE  queen's  RANGERS. 


193 


ected  the 
I  fired,  as 
up  and 
ge  of  the 
natWil- 
it  appear- 
the  out- 
rrived  the 
Quarter- 
rs   of  the 
jersed  the 
red  in  the 
icoe,  when 
liow  many 
n  ?  and  on 
id    "Four 
nd  seemed 
isand :  this 
ivcen  them 
»rdcr  to  rc- 
jserve  was 
number  of 
B  American 
)f  its  being 
omb  proof, 
bo  useless, 
vhich  there 
sh  fortifica- 
or  the  oc- 
iiarched   to 
d  embarked 


immediately,  the  Queen's  Rangers  excepted,  who 
formed  the  rear  guard  and  lay  on  shore  the  whole 
night,  in  a  position  which  a  little  labour  rendered  un- 
assailable. Gen.  Phillips  here  gave  out  the  strictest 
orders  to  prevent  privateers,  the  bane  and  disgrace  of 
the  country  which  employs  them,  from  preceding  the 
fleet,  and  being  found  upon  any  of  the  rivers  maraud- 
ing or  plundering :  he  also  explained  the  second  ob- 
ject of  the  expedition,  which  was  to  obtain  posses- 
sion of  Hood's  battery,  now  reported  to  be  closed, 
without  unnecessary  risk ;  to  open  all  obstructions  on 
the  James  river,  and  to  seize  the  arms  said  to  be  at 
Prince  George  Court  house.  The  Major  General  is- 
sued the  following  excellent  order :  "  Commanding 
"  officers  of  corps,  and  those  detached  are  to  keep 
"  regular  journals  during  their  absence,  which,  upon 
"  their  return,  they  will  give  in,  with  their  reports, 
"  when  called  upon."  There  never  was  a  regulation 
better  calculated  to  do  justice  to  the  active  and  de- 
serving officer,  in  every  rank  and  station :  it  at  once 
established  a  method,  by  which  it  became  the  duty  of 
officers  to  detail  their  own  professional  skill,  and  that 
of  those  subordinate  to  them,  with  the  result  of  it  to 
the  Commander  in  Chief,  without  wounding  modest 
merit  with  tho  iiucussity  of  self  commendation.  At 
the  same  time,  should  any  man  be  so  base  as  to  arro- 
gate to  himself  services  which  he  had  never  perform- 
ed, and  which  sooner  or  later  cannot  fail  of  being 
divulged,  this  order  would  subject  the  offisnder  to  the 
penalty  as  well  as  the  disgrace  of  making  a  false  re- 
port.   Tho  troops  finding  no  opposition  at  Hood's, 


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194 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  OPERATIONS 


or  on  the  James  river,  proceeded  without  delay  up 
the  river :  off  Westover  Major  Gen.  Phillips  issued 
the  following  orders :  "  A  third  object  of  the  present 
'  expedition  is  to  gain  Petersburg  for  the  purpose  of 
'  destroying  the  enemy's  stores  at  that  place,  and  it 
'  is  public  stores  alone  that  are  intended  to  be  seized ; 
'  for  private  property  and  the  persons  of  individuals, 
'  not  taken  in  arms,  are  to  be  under  the  protection  of 
'  the  troops ;  and  Major  Gen.  Phillips  depends  on 
'  the  activity  and  zeal  of  the  troops  on  this  occasion. 
'  The  movement  from  City  point  to  Petersburg,  will 
'  be  made  by  land ;  and  it  is  apprehended,  the  boats 
will  not  be  able  to  follow  till  the  shores  are  cleared 
'  of  the  enemy.  The  march  will  be  conducted  with 
'  the  greatest  caution,  and  the  soldiers  will  pay  the 
'  strictest  obedience  to  orders  :  the  conduct  of  the 
'  officers  is  not  to  be  doubted.  When  the  troops 
'  form  it  is  to  be  done  in  the  following  manner :  The 
'  infantry  and  huzzars  of  the  Queen's  Rangers,  with 
a  detachment  of  Yagers  and  Althause's  rifle  com- 
'  pany,  form  the  advanced  guard,  under  Lt.  Col.  Sim- 
'  coc.  The  first  line  to  be  composed  of  the  light  in- 
'  fantry ;  the  second  to  be  composed  of  the  80th  and 
'76th  regiments,  who  will  form  three  deep,  and  in 
'  compact  order.  The  grcnadicis  nnd  light  infantry 
'  of  the  80th,  with  the  Amoriciui  legion,  to  form  the 
'  reserve  under  Mnjor  Gordon.  The  cavalry  of  the 
'  Queen's  Rangers,  to  form  with  the  reserve,  till  such 
time  as  they  may  be  called  upon  the  wing,  of  the 
first  or  second  line.  As  the  present  movements  will 
be  made  in  u  difficult  country,  it  becomes  necessa- 


(( 


(( 


<( 


i  ■• 


..li! 


lelay  up 
3  issued 
present 
irpose  of 
,e,  and  it 
3  seized ; 
iividuals, 
ection  of 
pends  on 
occasion, 
burg,  will 
the  boats 
re  cleared 
icted  with 
11  pay  the 
uct  of  the 
the  troops 
iner:  The 
igers,  with 
rifle  com- 
.  Col.  Sim- 
ic  light  in- 
le  80th  and 
ip,  and  in 
ht  infantry 
[o  form  the 
Iry  of  the 
c,  till  such 
ing,  of  the 
cmcnts  will 
IS  ncccssa- 


OF  THE  queen's  RAXGERS. 


195 


"  ry  that  officers  leading  columns  and  commanding 
"  corps,  should  use  and  exert  the  intelligence  of  their 
"  own  minds,  joined  to  the  knowledge  of  the  service, 
"  in  times  of  an  attack,  when  they  cannot  immediate- 
"  ly  receive  the  orders  of  the  Brigadier  General,  or 
"  Major  General.  Should  the  particular  difficulty  of 
"  the  country,  occasion  the  first  line  to  take  up  new 
"  ground  toward  the  rear,  it  may  not  be  improper, 
"  perhaps,  to  do  so  by  becoming  a  second  line  in  the 
"  rear  of  the  76th  and  80th,  who  will  form  openings, 
"  if  necessary,  for  the  purpose.  It  is  to  be  observed, 
"  that  the  reserve  is  to  be  the  point  of  assembly,  for 
"  the  troops  upon  any  difficult  occasion.  The  im- 
"  pression  made  upon  an  attack,  by  the  advanced 
"  corps  and  light  infantry,  will  be  supported  in  firm 
"  order  by  the  second  line ;  and  the  cavalry  will 
"  watch  the  moment  for  charging  a  broken  enemy. 
"  The  artillery  attached  to  the  several  corps,  will  be 
"  under  the  command  of  Capt.  Fagc,  who,  with  the 
"  participation  of  the  commanding  officers,  or  those 
"  bearing  the  orders  of  the  General  Officers,  will  ex- 
"  ert  their  utmost  endeavours  to  co-operate  with  the 
"  rest  of  the  troops."  On  the  24tli  the  troops  landed, 
and  passed  the  night  at  City  point,  and  on  the  'ioth 
marched  towards  Petersburg.  The  report  of  the 
forces  collected  at  that  place  varied  ;  but  it  was  ap- 
parent, that  they  rather  distrusted  their  own  strength, 
or  were  miserably  connnandcd,  as  no  shadow  of  op- 
position was  made  at  some  passes  which  were  very 
difficult,  and  which  would  have  delayed  or  embar- 
rassed the  army.    Within  two  miles  of  Petersburg, 


V 


■'.<*, 


196 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  OPERATIONS 


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the  wood  ending  in  a  plain,  the  army  halted  until  the 
troops  in  the  rear  had  closed  to  the  front :  the  enemy 
appeared  at  a  distance,  and  the  troops  advanced.  At 
a  gully  in  front  some  firing  took  place  from  a  party 
of  the  enemy,  which  was  posted  on  the  opposite 
bank ;  they  killed  a  Yager  and  fled.  A  Serjeant,  who 
had  been  detached  with  a  party  of  Yagers  to  the 
right,  by  means  of  an  orchard,  got  upon  the  enemy's 
left  flank  undiscovered,  and  fired  with  great  effect 
upon  them  as  they  retreated.  The  ground  was  di- 
vided by  small  inclosures,  with  houses  on  each  side 
of  the  road,  which,  through  a  narrow  pass  in  front, 
led  to  Petersburg  ;  on  the  right  of  it  were  small  emi- 
nences, terminating  at  the  Appamatox  river,  and  on 
the  left,  hilly  ground  covered  with  wood,  at  the  foot 
of  which  was  an  old  mill  stream.  The  troops  halted, 
and  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  accompanied  Gen.  Phillips  to 
the  right,  where,  at  the  distance  of  a  quarter  of  a 
mile,  he  could  see  the  enemy  drawn  up :  Gen.  Phil- 
lips soon  selected  a  spot  to  which  he  ordered  the  ar- 
tillery to  be  brought,  and  it  arrived  undiscovered  ;  he 
then  directed  it  to  fire,  and  ordered  Lieut.  Col.  Aber- 
crombie  to  march  towards  the  enemy  in  front,  Lieut. 
Col.  Simcoe  with  the  Rangers  to  pass  through  the 
wood  to  the  left  to  turn  the  enemy's  right  flank,  and 
Capt.  Boyd  with  the  second  battalion  of  light  infant- 
ry to  support  him,  as  the  rest  of  the  troops  did  Lieut. 
Col.  Abercrombic.  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe,  on  emerging 
from  the  wood,  found  a  high  woody  ridge,  immedi- 
ately on  his  left :  ho  desired  Capt.  Boyd  would  attend 
to  it,  who  sent  flanking  parties  thither.    Lieut.  Col. 


I  until  the 
\ie  enemy 
need.    At 
(I  a  party 
3  opposite 
•jeant,  who 
ers  to  the 
tie  enemy's 
reat  effect 
nd  was  di- 
i  each  side 
ss  in  front, 
)  small  emi- 
^rer,  and  on 
,  at  the  foot 
•oops  halted, 
.  Phillips  to 
quarter  of  a 
:  Gen.  Phil- 
iered  the  ar- 
icovered ;  he 
t.  Col.  Aber- 
front,  Lieut, 
through  the 
it  flank,  and 
light  infant- 
)p8  did  Lieut. 
on  emerging 
dge,  immedi- 
would  attend 
Lieut.  Col. 


OF  THE  queen's  RANGERS. 


197 


Abercrombie  pushing  forward  his  battaUon,  the  ene- 
my's first  hne  quitted  their  station  in  confusion;  but 
it  appeared  to  Lieut.  Col.  Simcoe,  that  they  had  a 
second  line  posted,  probably  to  secure  the  retreat  of 
the  first,  and  that  this  party,  who  seemed  totally  oc- 
cupied with  what  was  doing  in  the  front,  had  no  out 
flankers,  but  that  those  of  the  first  line  had  fallen 
back  upon  the  main  body.  His  aim  was  to  get  as 
much  upon  their  flank  as  possible,  attack  them,  and 
pass  the  bridge  over  the  Appamatox  with  them  :  on 
the  opposite  side  of  this  bridge,  upon  the  heights, 
were  troops  and  cannon,  but  the  banks  were  so  steep 
that  their  fire  could  do  but  little  injury  to  an  active 
assailant.  The  enemy,  still  pressed  in  front  by  Lieut. 
Col.  Abercrombie,  fled  so  rapidly  that  the  Queen's 
Rangers  had  no  opportunity  of  closing  with  them, 
though,  from  their  dress,  they  had  marched  a  consid- 
erable way  unnoticed.  The  enemy's  cannon  began 
to  fire  grape  at  the  light  infantry,  who  had  reached 
the  town  of  Biandford,  and  destroyed  the  bridge.  Lt. 
Col.  Simcoe  thought  it  advisable  to  try  whether  there 
was  not  a  ford,  as  was  rumoured,  at  Bannister's  mills, 
for  the  attempt  at  least  would  make  the  enemy  draw 
ofl"  their  cannon.  A  party  of  horsemen  appeared 
upon  the  heights  near  Bannister's  house  :  .  ')ey  gal- 
lopped  oflf  on  the  approach  of  the  troops,  and  proved 
to  have  been  people  of  the  country,  who  came  as 
spectators  of  the  encounter.  The  enemy  now  fired 
round  shot,  but  ineflectually,  at  the  Queen's  Rangers : 
a  party  at  the  same  time  marched,  on  the  opposite 
side  of  the  river,  towards  the  mills,  but  it  was  soon 
IG 


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198 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  OPERATIONS 


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called  off,  and  the  whole  of  the  enemy's  corps,  sup- 
posed to  be  commanded  by  Baron  Steuben,  marched 
off.  The  disposition  of  the  enemy  was  not  such  as 
marked  any  abiUty  in  those  who  made  it :  by  their 
cannon  being  placed  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  Ap- 
pamatox,  it  was  evident,  that  the  corps  which  was 
stationed  at  the  extremity  of  Blandford,  was  merely 
intended  to  fire  and  to  retreat ;  but  their  very  posi- 
tion counteracted  their  design,  as  the  deep  defile 
would  of  itself  enforce  caution  in  those  who  were  to 
pass  it ;  the  previous  skirmish  had  prevented  their 
making  use  of  an  ambuscade,  and  their  right  being 
open,  exposed  them  to  what  they  narrowly  escaped, 
the  being  cut  oft'  from  the  bridge.  The  plan  of  the 
ground,  which  Lt.  Spencer  took  upon  the  spot,  will 
show,  to  the  miUtary  observer,  many  positions  which 
might  have  been  taken  by  the  enemy  to  better  effect : 
they  were  said  to  have  lost  near  an  hundred  men  kill- 
ed and  wounded,  while  that  of  the  British  was  only 
one  man  killed,  and  ten  wounded  of  the  light  infantry. 
The  bridge  being  easily  repaired,  Lt.  Col.  Aber- 
crombie  with  the  light  infantry  and  Queen's  Rangers, 
passed  over  the  next  day  and  occupied  the  heights. 
The  army  proceeded  towards  Osborne's  on  the  27th, 
early  in  the  morning :  the  bridge  at  Randal's  mills 
had  been  taken  up,  but  was  presently  relaid.  Gen. 
Phillips,  with  one  division  of  the  army,  went  to  Ches- 
terfield Court-house,  while  the  80th  and  76th  regi- 
ments, with  the  Queen's  Rangers,  under  Gen.  Arnold, 
marched  to  Osborne's,  where  a  number  of  the  ene- 
my's shipping  was  stationed.    Care  had  been  taken 


%l"l  i 


■0   'il 


irps,  sup- 
marched 
:  such  as 
;  by  their 
f  the  Ap- 
rhich  was 
IS  merely 
ery  posi- 
eep  defile 
lO  were  to 
nted  their 
ight  being 
y  escaped, 
Ian  of  the 
I  spot,  will 
ions  which 
Iter  effect : 
ii  men  kill- 
1  was  only 
It  infantry. 
;^ol.  Aber- 
's  Rangers, 
le  heights, 
n  the  27th, 

idal's  mills 
laid.  Gen. 
nt  to  Ches- 

76th  regi- 

en.  Arnold, 
)f  the  ene- 

been  taken 


3 


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J't  (iiif/rrs . 

t" 

Ulll  ,>/'</" 
'*';./        .'i"f   i>/'</" 
\  •■:'  >ij  \       tun  (i/'//u'  l^ lu'ciis' H iiiit/i'i-i 
''•'  "j     '  it      Uo/i  (>/  f/c 


-^IMi 


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o  •    t  h  o  .  c  (.  1 


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ft/it(    ///f  Americcii  A.'iiiv    f', „■/>///, /i/,/,/    h\      \L\  JI)H  ('K  y  '  S'/'/J  f'HK  \ 

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sr 


fe'  fl  F/ F K f^/:-X <•/<:. s' 


€y 


1.  )(ff/{'/:v. 

2 .  Fun r Pieces  o/' ('a nncni  . 
V  /i/  ///.>■//  I/'  1,/l'y 
\  (f  lU'c/is  ji  itiu/fis . 

5.  /^  i/'/p  Mr/i 

6.  Ai/icr/Ciin 

J)  .  2" /'om/io//  ii/'f/io  U lu^eui' F (iz/t^rz-fi. 
10.  .'^'^/?>y/i'/,7//^y/,/^/ 


S  C  A  I,  !•'- 


^j»..^jUJ 


i/Af.;. 


if«S 


w^M 

j: 

m 

1 

s^^r 

'*  ■  V.;. 

,~  ■ 

1  1  ,  ■. 

'■*  ■• 

,  1 

' '.  '  ■'  ■  ' 

,oiL 

:,i-^!- 

f 

■;if 

; :"  i 

thi 

CO 

th( 
tici 
Ar 
the 

stn 

« 


a 


ai 
tro( 
witl 
ship 
cult 
a  sn 
opei 
Lt. 
the: 
been 
Yag^ 
thirt 
her^ 
cipa 
shot 
from 
Simc 
and 
execi 
as  a 
the 
to  th 
pearc 


OF  THE  queen's  RANGERS. 


199 


that  no  information  of  the  approach  of  the  troops 
could  reach  them  ;  and  there  was  no  doubt  but  that 
the  fire  of  the  cannon  would  have  given  the  first  no- 
tice of  the  arrival  of  the  army.  In  this  situation  Gen. 
Arnold  sent  a  flag  of  truce  to  the  enemy,  offering  half 
the  contents  of  their  cargoes  in  case  they  did  not  de- 
stroy any  part ;  the  enemy  answered,  "  That  they 
"  were  determined  and  ready  to  defend  their  ships, 
"  and  would  sink  in  them  rather  than  surrender."  The 
troops  marched  on :  Gen.  Arnold  stationed  Lt.  Rogers 
with  two  three  pounders  near  the  stern  of  a  large 
ship,  which  had  springs  upon  her  cable.  With  diffi- 
culty she  brought  her  broadside  to  bear,  and  returned 
a  smart  fire,  when  Capt.  Fage,  with  two  six  pounders, 
opened  from  an  unexpected  quarter,  with  great  effect. 
Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  placed  the  Queen's  Rangers  out  of 
the  line  of  fire,  and  directed  Lt.  Spencer,  who  had 
been  sent  to  reconnoitre  the  left,  to  conduct  some 
Yagers  by  a  route  partly  covered  by  ditches,  within 
thirty  yards  of  her  stern.  Luckily  she  had  loaded 
her  guns  only  with  round  shot,  expecting  that  the  prin- 
cipal attack  would  have  been  made  by  water ;  grape 
shot  must  inevitably  have  killed  or  driven  the  artillery 
from  their  guns.  Gen.  Arnold  sent  orders  to  Lt.  Col, 
Simcoe  to  march  the  Queen's  Rangers  to  the  shore, 
and  to  fire  musketry  at  the  ship  :  he  was  preparing  to 
execute  this  order,  when,  what  he  shall  ever  esteem  a 
as  a  most  fortunate  shot,  cut  a  spring  cable  and  threw 
the  ship  round :  in  this  situation,  the  crew,  exposed 
to  the  raking  of  Lt.  Rogers'  cannon,  and  whoever  ap- 
peared upon  deck  to  the  fire  of  the  Yagers,  and  despair- 


■  #■..'■■'>:■■:■■, 


\4       .i     \i       -I 


-•-1  «■  ■ 
•  •    > 
'ii 


200 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  OPERATIONS 


ing  of  assistance  from  the  remainder  of  the  ill-stationed 
fleet,  were  frightened  and  took  to  their  boat  to  escape : 
the  Yagers  beginning  a  severe  fire  on  them,  some  jump- 
ed overboard.  Lt.  Spencer,  with  difficulty,  stopped 
the  firing,  and  parlying  with  the  boat's  crew,  they  sur- 
rendered, and  as  they  were  directed,  rowed  to  the 
shore  in  possession  of  the  King's  troops.  Lt.  Fitz- 
patrick,  with  volunteer  Armstrong,  and  twelve  of  the 
Queen's  Rangers,  leaped  into  the  boat  and  rowed  on 
board  the  ship  :  he  then  sent  another  boat  on  shore, 
and,  with  great  judgment  and  spirit  proceeded  towards 
the  furthermost  ship  in  the  fleet :  the  Highland  com- 
pany embarked  on  board  the  captured  frigate,  and  a 
scene  of  singular  confusion  ensued.  The  enemy  had 
scuttled  several  of  their  ships,  which  were  now  sink- 
ing; others,  boarded  by  the  intrepid  Lt.  Fitzpatrick. 
were  on  fire ;  and  although  cannon  and  musketry  from 
the  opposite  shore,  kept  up  a  smart  fire  on  him,  that 
active  officer  rowed  on.  He  put  three  men  on  board 
one  ship,  and  cut  her  cable,  and  he  left  volunteer  Arm- 
strong with  three  more  in  another,  and  attained  him- 
self the  headmost,  whose  guns  he  immediately  turned 
upon  the  enemy.  A  ship,  which  was  blown  up  near 
the  Tempest,  the  State  frigate,  which  had  been  the 
first  taken,  in  its  explosion,  lodged  some  fire  on  her 
top  gallant  and  fore  stay-sail,  which  now  blazed  out ; 
Capt.  M'Kay,  with  the  Highlanders  had  cut  her  cable 
to  avoid  the  danger,  and  she  now  drifted  ;  but  the  cur- 
rent running  easterly,  luckily  drove  her  near  the  shore, 
occupied  by  the  King's  troops,  and,  by  the  exertion 
of  the  Highlanders,  whom  their  many  sea  voyages 


OF  THE  QUEEN^S  RANGERS. 


201 


tationed 
escape : 
ne  jump- 
stopped 
they  sur- 
d  to  the 
Lt.  Fitz- 
\fe  of  the 
rowed  on 
)n  shore, 
d  towards 
and  com- 
Lte,  and  a 
nemy  had 
now  sink- 
itzpatrick. 
ictry  from 
him,  that 
I  on  board 
teer  Arm- 
lined  him- 
ely  turned 
n  up  near 
been  the 
ire  on  her 
azed  out ; 
her  cable 
ut  the  cur- 
thc  shore, 
exertion 
a  voyages 


had  made  active  and  experienced  in  such  dangers,  the 
flames  were  extinguished,  and  the  prize  effectually  se- 
cured.   To  add  to  the  horror,  volunteer  Armstrong 
finding  the  ship  he  was  on  board  of  in  flames,  beyond 
his  power  to  master,  had  swam  on  shore  to  procure 
a  boat  to  bring  off  the  men  he  had  with  him ;  and  the 
only  one  in  the  possession  of  the  troops,  was  des- 
patched for  that  purpose  :  he  had  just  time  to  save 
his  men,  when  the  vessel  blew  up.    The  whole  of  the 
fleet,  consisting  of  two  ships  of  twenty  guns,  a  brig 
of  sixteen,  and  several  other  armed  vessels,  were  ei- 
ther taken  or  destroyed.    One  twenty  gun  ship,  a  brig 
of  sixteen  guns,  two  lesser  and  a  sloop,  were  brought 
down  and  safely  moored,  after  a  firing  which  lasted 
above  two  hours :  Lt.  Fitzpatrick  brought  off  that 
which  he  was  on  board  of,  deliberately  closing  the  rear. 
The  troops  remained  in  this  vicinity  till  the  29th, 
when  they   proceeded   towards   Manchester.    The 
bridge  at  Robert's  mills,  which  had  been  destroyed, 
was  repaired,  and  the  army  encamped  near  Cary's 
house :  next  morning  they  marched  to  Manchester, 
from  whence  they  had  a  view  of  M.  Fayette's  army, 
encamped  on  the  heights  of  Richmond  :  on  the  even- 
ing they  returned  to  Cary's.    Lt.  Col.  Simcoe,  with 
the  rear  guard,  had  orders  to  destroy  a  large  quantity 
of  flour  in  Cary's  mills ;  but  on  his  representing  to 
Gen.  Phillips,  that  this  duty  of  fatigue  could  not  bo 
finished  in  the  time  allotted  for  the  purpose,  ho  was 
directed  to  burn  them,  which  was  accordingly  done. 
This  flour  was  destined  for  the  Spaniards,  but  prob- 
ably would  have  been  used  as  supplies  for  Fayette's 
16* 


I'r 


202 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  OPERATIONS 


f 


I 


1 

1  •  V  :•  ■  ■'i 
'  ■  ■;  'i  ■:;'' 


'  ■■ ». 


.1        ', 


army.  The  troops  proceeded  by  Osborne's  to  the 
Bermuda  Hundreds :  a  quantity  of  cattle  was  collect- 
ed for  them,  by  a  detachment  of  the  Queen's  Rangers 
the  next  day  ;  and  the  whole  army  embarked  on  the 
evening  of  the  2d  of  May.  The  captured  ships  were 
conveyed  down  the  river  by  a  detachment  of  the 
Queen's  Rangers,  and  not  without  opposition  from 
the  miUtia,  particula'-ly  against  that  commanded  by 
Lt.  Allen,  which  ran  on  shore  ;  but,  by  his  exertions 
and'  bravery,  was  gotten  off  without  material  injury. 
Gen.  Phillips,  whilst  the  army  lay  at  Gary's,  had 
thrown  some  troops  over  the  opposite  side  of  James 
river.  On  the  return  from  Blanford,  Lt.  Gol.  Simcoe 
took  occasion  to  represent  to  him  the  possibility  of 
the  whole  army  crossing,  ar-H  h*.  while  the  advance 
guard  moved  on  towards  Ri  <d  and  masked  the 
road,  the  army  might  turn  back  two  miles  from  the 
landing  place,  and  by  falling  into  the  bye  path  which 
Gen.  Arnold  had  formerly  been  advised  to  proceed 
on,  might  arrive  on  the  plain  ground  on  the  heights 
of  Richmond,  most  probably  on  the  left  think,  if  not 
the  rear,  of  Fayette,  who  would,  as  it  was  reasonable 
to  presume,  expect  the  British  troops  by  the  route 
which  Gen.  Arnold  had  so  recently  taken,  and  whose 
gasconading  disposition  and  military  ignorance  might 
possibly  tempt  him  to  stay  too  long  in  the  face  of 
troops,  his  eijuals  in  numbers,  and  superior  in  every 
thing  else  that  could  form  the  value  of  an  army.  The 
troops  fell  down  the  river  in  prosecution  of  such  fur- 
ther enterprises  as  Gen.  l*hil!i|)s  had  determined  upon. 
Opposite  to  James  Town,  the  sloop  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe 


OF  THE  queen's  RANGERS. 


203 


J  to  the 
,  collect- 
Rangers 
i  on  the 
lips  were 
it  of  the 
ion  from 
inded  by 
exertions 
al  injury. 
iry's,  had 
of  James 
)1.  Simcoe 
sibility  of 
le  advance 
asked  the 
i  from  the 
ath  which 
proceed 
le  heights 
ink,  if  not 
reasonable 
the  route 
and  whose 
mce  might 
ic  face  of 
r  in  every 
n»y.    The 
such  fur- 
ined  upon, 
il.  Simcoe 


was  in,  being  one  of  the  headmost  of  the  fleet,  ran 
aground  near  to  a  landing  place.  Some  people  on 
horseback  were  seen  reconnoitering  the  fleet :  the  bu- 
gle horns  were  sounded,  and  a  boat  brought  round 
the  vessel  towards  the  shore,  and  instructions  for  land- 
ing were  given  in  a  loud  voice  :  this  feint,  meant 
merely  for  amusement,  had  its  effect,  and  a  messenger 
was  seen  to  gallop  oflf,  and  M.  Fayette  in  his  dis- 
patches mentions  it  as  a  seeming  attempt  of  the  en- 
emy to  land.  It  has  since  appeared,  that  M.  Fayette, 
as  was  predicted,  followed  the  troops  down  the  river, 
the  constant  and  good  policy  of  the  enemy ;  but  which, 
in  this  case  might  have  proved  fatal  to  his  army,  had 
what  at  first  appeared  to  be  Gen.  Phillips'  design, 
been  now  in  his  power  or  instructions  to  execute ;  for 
the  vessel  was  scarcely  got  off",  when  the  officer,  who 
had  led  the  fleet,  returned  and  haiUng  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe, 
directed  him  to  make  the  utmost  dispatch  in  following 
him  up  the  river :  this  was  facilitated  by  its  blowing 
a  hard  but  fair  gale.  The  whole  fleet  anchored  off 
Brandon's  house,  on  the  south-side  of  James  river  j 
and  the  troops  immediately  landed,  on  the  7th  of  May, 
the  light  infantry  excepted,  who  proceeded  to  City 
point.  Had  the  landing  been  on  the  opposite  shore, 
and  higher  up,  as  by  the  fair  winds  might  have  been 
the  case,  the  British  army  would  have  been  above  M. 
Fayette,  and  he  could  not  have  avoided  action.  Lt. 
Col.  Simcoe  was  informed  by  Gen.  Phillips,  that  ho 
had  received  an  order  from  Lord  Cornwallis  to  meet 
him  near  Petersburg.  To  the  great  concern  of  his 
army.  Gen.  Phillips  was  taken  extremely  ill,  and  to 


r 


I   ■ 

i 


204 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  OPERATIONS 


It''     '  ■••     ,'•■ 
1^"..,    •  ■  '... 


t 


<  •   ;  i' 


n 


accommodate  him,  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  went  some  miles 
off  and  procured  a  post-chaise.  Early  the  next 
morning,  the  army  marched  to  Bland's  ordinary,  pass- 
ing a  very  deep  gully :  here  it  was  reported  that  M. 
Fayette  had  crossed  the  James  river  and  was  at  Pe- 
tersburg. It  would  have  been  imprudent,  had  such 
been  a  fact,  for  the  corps  at  Bland's  mill  to  march 
thither,  until  it  was  joined  by  the  light  infantry :  while 
conversation  to  this  purpose  was  held  by  the  principal 
officers,  General  Phillips,  whose  indisposition  rapidly 
increased,  awakening  from  his  sleep,  was  made 
acquainted  with  the  report;  and  the  last  material 
order  he  gave  was  that,  which  decided  the  troops  to 
proceed  as  quick  as  posible  towards  Petersburg,  and 
to  order  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  to  cross  the  country,  with 
a  party  of  cavalry  to  City  point,  with  instructions 
for  Lieutenant  Colonel  Abercrombie,  to  march 
early  the  next  morning  to  that  place,  which  accor- 
dingly was  executed,  and  the  whole  army  united 
at  Petersburg.  Gen.  Phillips'  army  made  prisoners 
some  of  M.  Fayette's  suite,  who  had  arrived  there  to 
prepare  quarters  for  his  army  :  this  was  a  very  for- 
tunate prevention,  as  the  grounds  about  Petersburg 
were  very  strong,  if  properly  occupied,  and  bridges 
over  the  Appamatox  would  have  secured  a  retreat  to 
the  defenders.  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  pressed  Gen.  Arnold, 
to  let  him  march  towards  Halifax,  in  order  to  gain 
information  of  Lord  Cornwallis,  from  whom  no  ac- 
count had  arrived ;  it  was  not  thought  prudent  to 
make  a  detachment  while  M.  Fayotte  was  supposed 
to  be  so  near :  he  was,  however,  sent  with  the  ca- 


'*■" 


me  miles 
the  next 
ary,  pass- 
i  that  M. 
as  at  Pe- 
had  such 
to  march 
try :  while 
3  principal 
on  rapidly 
was   made 
it  material 
e  troops  to 
rsburg,  and 
intry,  with 
instructions 
to    march 
lich  accor- 
rmy  united 
le  prisoners 
red  there  to 
a  very  for- 
Pctersburg 
md  bridges 
a  retreat  to 
en.  Arnold, 
der  to  gain 
lom  no  ac- 
prudcnt  to 
jiH  supposed 
vith  the  ca- 


OF  THE  queen's  RANGERS. 


205 


valry  to  destroy  Goode's  bridge,  and  to  return  the 
next  morning.  After  proceeding  a  long  way,  Lt.  Col. 
Simcoe  understood  that  the  bridge  was  not  within  the 
distance  which  had  been  apprehended ;  and  Lt.  Col. 
Darner,  who  had  accompanied  him,  agreeing  with 
him  that  the  enemy  might  easily  throw  bridges  over 
the  Appamatox  much  nearer  to  Petersburg,  and  would 
certainly  do  so  if  they  intended  an  attack  against  the 
troopij  there,  the  party  returned,  and  lay  a  few  miles 
from  Petersburg  that  night,  and  joined  the  army  the 
next  day.  The  enemy  sending  patroles  on  the  oppo- 
site side  of  the  Appamatox,  Lt.  Spencer  had  proposed 
to  have  swam  over  with  a  party,  consisting  of  Lieut. 
Fitzpatrick  and  thirty  Rangers,  and  to  have  laid  an 
ambuscade  for  them.  This  officer  was  perfectly  ac- 
quainted with  the  minutest  particulars  of  the  ground, 
having  been  encamped  upon  it :  in  ease  of  the  enemy 
appearing  in  force,  any  small  gully  would  have  given 
him  a  secure  retreat  to  the  river,  while  the  cannon 
and  musketry,  purposely  stationed  to  protect  him, 
would  have  prevented  the  enemy  from  molesting  the 
party  whilst  it  swam  back.  This  design  the  patroles 
to  Goode's  bridge,  had  occasioned  to  be  deferred,  and 
it  was  to  have  been  executed  the  next  morning  ;  but, 
about  the  middle  of  the  day,  the  enemy  appeared  on 
the  heights,  and  cannonaded  the  quarters  of  the 
British  army,  particularly  those  of  Gen.  Phillips, 
whom  they  knew  to  be  most  dangerously  ill,  by  a  flag 
of  truce  which  had  been  received  the  day  before,  and 
of  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  which  was  on  a  height.  Some 
shots  being  directed  at  the  dragoon  horses,  then  at 


in' 

Me 

'*";*■; 


v^ 


'ii- ■■.■': 


^■:  i 


■'..'*• 


206 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  OPERATIONS 


pi|Wfli' 

1 

3!i 

^■■.'i•■L^v'•^4.l' 

'} :''; 


■fVM^ 


I  3        '■!!■  All    MlfiF  . 

Mi  'U  i'li  Vvi-. . '  ;- 


grass,  they  set  off  full  gallop  towards  the  ferry,  im- 
mediately under  the  enemy's  cannon ;  and  had  they 
not  fired  grape  at  them,  'tis  probable  they  would  have 
swam  to  the  shore  in  their  possession  :  their  cannon- 
ading had  no  effect.  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  went  immedi- 
ately to  Gen.  Arnold,  and  again  applied  to  march  to- 
wards Lord  Cornwallis,  urging  that  it  was  apparent, 
from  the  discovery  which  the  enemy  had  made,  and 
their  parade  of  force,  that  they  could  mean  no  seri- 
ous attempt  on  the  post :  the  General  assented,  and 
the  enemy  had  scarcely  drawn  off  their  cannon,  when 
the  Queen's  Rangers,  both  cavalry  and  infantry, 
marched  towards  the  Nottaway,  on  the  road  to  Hali- 
fax. M.  Fayette  gives,  as  a  reason  for  this  cannon- 
ade, that  he  did  it  in  order  to  cover  the  march  of  a 
detachment  which  he  sent  with  stores,  &c.  to  South 
Carolina.  A  detachment  of  the  Queen's  Rangers 
was  more  than  sufficient  to  have  attacked  this  con- 
•  voy,  had  there  been  information  of  it ;  and  it  is  very 
probable,  in  such  a  case.  Gen.  Arnold  would  have  sent 
a  party  from  the  light  infantry,  in  pursuit  of  it ;  but 
none  of  Mr.  Fayette's  reasons  impress  any  idea  of 
his  military  talents :  he  possibly  owed  his  personal 
safety  to  the  patrole,  which  had  prevented  Lt.  Spen- 
cer's ambuscade  from  being  carried  into  execution ; 
and  who,  not  improbably,  might  have  made  himself 
master  of  his  cannon,  by  rolling  them  down  the  steeps 
of  the  river,  before  the  escort,  which  apparently,  was 
left  at  some  distance  to  avoid  the  shot  of  the  British 
guns,  could  have  advanced  to  their  rescue.  Lt.  Col. 
Simcoo  proceeded,  with  the  utmost  expedition,  to  the 


at  an 


OF  THE  queen's  RANGERS. 


207 


ferry,  im- 
had  they 
vould  have 
iir  cannon- 
nt  immedi- 
I  march  to- 
s  apparent, 
made,  and 
an  no  seri- 
sented,  and 
nnon,  when 
id  infantry, 
)ad  to  Hali- 
;hi8  cannon- 
march  of  a 
re.  to  South 
I's   Rangers 
ed  this  con- 
nd  it  is  very 
lid  have  sent 
t  of  it ;  but 
any  idea  of 
lis  personal 
3d  Lt.  Spen- 
)  execution ; 
lade  himself 
m  the  steeps 
lurently,  was 
the  British 
,c.     Lt.  Col. 
ition,  to  the 


Nottaway  river,  twenty-seven  miles  from  Petersburg, 
where  he  arrived  early  the  next  morning :  the  bridge 
had  been  destroyed,  which  was  easily  repaired,  and 
Major  Armstrong  was  left  with  the  infantry.    The 
cavalry  went  on  to  Col.  Gee's,  a  rebel  militia  officer : 
he  attempted  to  escape,  but  was  secured  ;  and  refus- 
ing to  giv-    .  .,  parole,  was  sent  prisoner  to  Major 
Armstrong.    The  cavalry  proceeded  in  the  afternoon 
to  Hicks's  ford,  on  the  Meherrin,  twenty-five  miles 
from  the  Roanoke,  within  a  few  miles  of  the  river 
stood  Col.  Hicks's  house.     He  was  deceived,  and  be- 
lieved the  party  to  be  an  advanced  guard  from  M. 
Fayette's  army :  from  him  the  first  information  was 
received  of  Earl  Cornwallis,  and  that  his  Lordship 
was  certainly  at  Halifax,  twenty  miles  from  the  Me- 
herrin ;  and  that  it  was  reported  his  advanced  guard 
had  passed  that  river.    Lt.  Col.  Simcoe's  hopes  of 
being  in  time  to  facilitate  his  Lordship's  passage  were 
at  an  end ;  there  was  still  a  probability,  if  any  militia 
were  in  his  front,  of  being  of  service.     Col.  Hicks 
accompanied  the  party  to  Hicks's  ford,  where  some 
mihtia  were  assembled.     Serjeant  Wright,  who  com- 
manded the  advanced  guard  on  the   approach   to 
Hicks's,  halted  and  returning  to  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe,  told 
him,  that  he  had  entered  into  conversation  with  one 
of  the  sentinels ;  that  the  militia  consisted  of  a  Cap- 
tain and  thirty  men ;  and  that  he  had  passed  upon 
them  for  their  friends  :  if  he,  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe,  thought 
proper,  he  would  relieve  the  whole  party.     Wright 
was  directed  to  execute   his  intentions :  the  rebel 
Colonel  was  shown,  at  a  sufficient  distance,  as  a 


if'    k 


^. 


208 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  OPERATIONS 


,1  .'' 


.'^i^' 
'\^'- 


friend ;  and  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  and  the  militia  officers 
assisting,  the  whole  party  was  assembled,  their  senti- 
nels relieved,  and  their  arms  piled  and  secured  before 
they  were  undeceived :  they  were  then  marched  into 
a  house,  and  their  paroles  given  them.  The  Captain 
and  others  being  selected  as  guides,  the  party  crossed 
the  ford,  which  had  been  obstructed  by  trees  felled, 
as  a  French  officer,  who  had  been  that  way  a  few 
days  before,  had  directed;  but  which  the  militia 
slightly  executed.  It  was  understood  that  Lt.  Colonel 
Tarleton  had  passed  the  Roanoke  ;  that  a  Major  of 
militia,  who  had  commanded  the  post  at  Hicks's  ford, 
was  gone  with  a  small  party  to  reconnoitre.  It  was 
much  to  be  feared,  that  if  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  should  fall 
in  with  Lord  Cornwallis's  advanced  guard  in  the  night, 
the  unexpected  meeting  might  occasion  great  confu- 
sion and,  perhaps,  loss  ;  and  it  was  still  probable,  that 
parties  of  militia  might  be  between  them,  which,  in 
the  dark,  it  would  be  impossible  to  discriminate ;  a 
circuit  was  therefore  taken  to  the  right  of  the  direct 
road ;  and,  at  a  situation  a  few  miles  from  Hicks's 
ford,  the  party  halted  to  feed  their  horses,  and  to  re- 
fresh the  men  who  were  overcome  with  fatigue  and 
wanted  sleep  :  they  had  brought  the  fire  arms  which 
had  been  taken  at  Hicks's  ford,  and  these  were  placed 
along  the  fence  where  the  men  slept.  Serjeant  Wright 
was  placed  in  ambuscade,  close  to  the  road;  and 
officers,  from  time  to  time,  visited  him,  lest  that  intre- 
pid and  vigilant  soldier  should  himself  give  way  to 
that  fatigue  which  every  body  laboured  under.  In 
the  middle  of  the  night,  Wright  brought  in  an  express 


ia  officers 
heir  senti- 
ired  before 
rched  into 
lie  Captain 
rty  crossed 
rees  felled, 
way  a  few 
the  militia 
Lt.  Colonel 
a  Major  of 
licks's  ford, 
re.    It  was 
e  should  fall 
in  the  night, 
Treat  confu- 
robable,  that 
1,  which,  in 
;riminate ;  a 
)f  the  direct 
rom  Hicks's 
s,  and  to  re- 
fatigue  and 
arms  which 
were  placed 
eant  Wright 
road;  and 
ist  that  intre- 
give  way  to 
under.    In 
in  an  express 


OF  THE  queen's  RANGERS. 


209 


from  a  captain  who  had  been  detached  by  M.  Fayette 
for  intelligence ;  he  had  not  time  to  destroy  his  des- 
patches, which  confirmed  the  account  of  Col.  Tarle- 
ton  having  passed  the  Roanoke  :  he  was  offered  his 
liberty  if  he  would  conduct  the  party  to  the  place 
where  he  had  left  his  captain,  the  capture  of  whom 
would  more  effectually  delay  any  intelligence  which 
M.  Fayette  might  expect ;  as  it  afterwards  appeared, 
by  his  public  letters,  was  done  by  this  express  being 
made  prisoner.  After  two  hours'  sleep,  the  party  pro- 
ceeded and  arrived  at  the  place  where  the  captain  and 
his  party  were  reported  to  have  been ;  but  no  person 
was  there ;  nor  was  it  possible  to  determine  whether 
the  prisoner  had  been  faithful  to  his  original  trust  or 
his  latter  promise.  The  party  soon  arrived  on  the 
banks  of  the  Roanoke,  and  sending  forward  to  pre- 
vent any  errors,  joined  Lord  Cornwallis's  army.  His 
Lordship  being  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  river,  Lt. 
Col.  Simcoe  passed  over  to  him ;  and  a  spy  from 
Gen.  Phillips  had  reached  him  a  few  hours  before :  it 
was  Lt.  Coi.  Simcoe's  melancholy  office  to  add  to  his 
Lordship's  public  anxieties,  the  intelligence  of  the 
irrecoverable  state  of  health  in  which  Gen.  Phillips 
lay.  The  cavalry  refreshed  themselves  at  Jones's 
house  ;  his  Lordship  passed  the  river  that  evening, 
and  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  sat  out  on  his  return.  He  march- 
ed by  the  direct  road  to  Hicks's  ford,  where  he  found 
Lieut.  Col.  Tarleton,  who  had  made  a  circuit  to  his 
right  from  Halifax,  and  had  arrived  there  a  few  hours 
after  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  left  it :  the  rebel  Major,  who 
had  been  to  reconnoitre,  fell  into  his  hands.  As  Lt. 
17 


m 

f 

M 


^ 

%' 


M 


".1 


1 1 


.t-M 

M 

-X' 


210 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  OPERATIONS 


V't^i 


t 


N* 


j      j|  '    I    ) 


Co!.  Tarleton's  legion  were  mostly  clothed  in  white, 
it  was  a  fortunate  circumstance,  in  making  his  cir- 
cuit, he  had  not  marched  on  the  road  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe 
had  taken  :  the  party  halted  that  night  at  Col.  Hicks's. 
Lt.  Col.  Tarleton  marched  the  next  morning  and  pro- 
ceeded to  Colonel  Gee's  plantation :  soon  after  the 
Queen's  Rangers  marched  and  rejoined  their  infantry 
at  Nottaway  bridge,  where  they  passed  the  night  in 
great  and  necessary  security :  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe,  with 
a  few  dragoons,  returning  to  Petersburg.  From  the 
representations  which  he  had  made  of  Gen.  Arnold, 
and  Lt.  Col.  Abercrombie  concurring  in  opinion  that 
Fayette  might  possibly  attack  them,  and  therefore  had 
deferred  his  necessary  march  to  Earl  Cornwallis,  till 
such  time,  as  by  Fayette's  cannonade,  it  was  evident 
he  could  mean  nothing  serious.  Gen.  Arnold  was  di- 
rected to  march  to  the  Nottaway :  that  officer  being 
of  opinion,  that  it  was  no  longer  necessary  to  do  so, 
went  himself  only,  the  next  morning,  with  Lieut.  Col. 
Simcoe,  to  the  Nottaway,  where  he  met  Earl  Corn- 
waUis.  The  Queen's  Rangers  returned  to  Petersburg 
that  evening  ;  and  his  Lordship's  whole  army  arrived 
there  the  next  day,  the  20th  of  May  :  they  marched 
opposite  to  Westover,  and  passed  the  James  river  on 
the  24th.  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe,  while  at  Westover,  re- 
ceived a  letter  from  Gen.  Lee,  with  whom  he  had 
been  acquainted  whilst  that  gentleman  was  prisoner 
in  the  Jersies,  pointing  out  the  enormities  committed 
by  the  privateers:  the  proper  representation  was 
made  to  Earl  Cornwallis,  who  took  measures  to  pre- 
vent the  future  misconduct  of  these  licensed  miscre- 


l>  1     4         J  J 


'i  i 


i 


#^i 


OF  THE  queen's  RANGERS. 


211 


in  white, 
T  his  cir- 
3l.  Simcoe 
►1.  Hicks's. 
g  and  pro- 
after  the 
;ir  infantry 
le  night  in 
mcoe,  with 
From  the 
m.  Arnold, 
(pinion  that 
lerefore  had 
rnwalUs,  till 
was  evident 
old  was  di- 
jfficer  being 
Lry  to  do  so, 
1  Lieut.  Col. 
;  Earl  Corn- 
3  Petersburg 
irmy  arrived 
ley  marched 
mes  river  on 
estover,  re- 
lom  he  had 
as  prisoner 
|S  committed 
sntation  was 
lures  to  pre- 
ised  miscre- 


ants, by  representing  them  to  Sir  Henry  Clinton. 
The  army  marched  towards  the  Chickahominy,  and 
arrived  at  Bottom  bridge  on  the  28th.    Lt.  Col.  Sim- 
coe, with  his  cavalry,  by  a  circuit,  passed  the  Chick- 
ahominy, and  patrolled  to  New-Castle,  where  he  seiz- 
ed some  rebel  officers ;  and  on  his  return,  imposed 
upon  and  took  several  Virginia  gentlemen,  who  were 
watching  the  motions   of  Earl  Cornwallis.    In  the 
evening  his  Lordship  marched  ;  and  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe 
halted  during  the  night,  and  then  followed  the  army  ; 
perhaps  not  without  utility,  as  the  rear  was  uncom- 
monly long,  and  the  road  running,  in  many  places, 
through  thickets,  patroles  of  the  enemy  might  easily 
have  taken  a  great  many  stragglers.    He  divided  his 
cavalry  into  small  parties,  left  them  at  different  dis- 
taiices,  and  collected  the  tired  men  as  well  as  possi- 
ble, which  was  not  in  the  power  of  the  infantry,  that 
formed  the  rear  guard,  to  effect.    Capt.  Cooke's  troop 
joined  the  Queen's  Rangers,  from  New-York,  but 
without  a  single  cavalry,  appointment,  or  arms :  the 
army  halted  near  New-Castle  on  the  29th,  and  march- 
ed to  Hanover  Court-house  the  next  day,  where  some 
large  brass  cannon,  without  carriages,  were  found, 
and  attempted  to  be  destroyed :  the  Queen's  Rangers 
had  advanced  to  South  Anna  bridge,  and  chased  and 
took  a  patrole  of  the  enemy.    The  next  day  they 
crossed  the  North  Anna,  patrolled  for  intelligence,  and 
took  a  militia  gentleman  on  his  return  from  Fayette's 
army.    The  army  proceeded  to  Tile's  ordinary,  on 
the  Ist  of  June  :  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  crossed  the  North 
Anna,  with  his  cavalry,  with  orders  to  get  intelUgence 


^f 


i 


■J 

3 


..{I 


212 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  OPERATIONS 


fcs; 


.■1  iv': 


1  '!  .'■■;,';t- 


i 


:i 


:':>(' 


.,  I' 


'■'  ■    ',  ,  •    ■  t- 

"'■  ■'■■*''  -i 

'  -     ,■■'.  t   i'  )    '. 

'Mi. 


,:  \  :l  <t  ■  -;  ■  ■;■  .  ■ 


of  Fayette's  inarch  ;  and  Capt.  Dundas,  of  the  guards, 
with  the  Hght  company,  was  sent  to  a  strong  post,  a 
few  miles  over  the  river,  to  support  and  cover  his  re- 
treat.   A  rebel  Commissary  was  chased  and  taken  ; 
and,  after  a  long  patrole,  full  information  was  obtain- 
ed of  Fayette's  march,  and  the  party  returned.     On 
Lt.  Col.  Simcoe's  arrival  at  head  quarters,  he  found 
that  two  of  the  Queen's  Rangers  had  committed  a 
robbery  and  a  rape :    Lord  Cornwallis  directed  him 
to  enquire  into  the  matter,  which  was  done  by  the 
Captains  of  the  corps ;  and  the  robbery  being  fully 
proved,  his  Lordship  ordered  the  men,  agreeable  to 
Lt.  Col.  Simcoe's  desire,  to  be  executed  the  next  day. 
Early  the  next  morning,  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  marched 
towards  the  Baron  Steuben,  who  was  reported  to  be 
at  the  point  of  Fork,  the  head  of  James  river  :  I^ord 
Cornwallis  informed  him,  that  Steuben's  force  consist- 
ed of  three  or  four  hundred  men  ;  and  as  the  Queen's 
Rangers  were  so  debilitated  by  the  fatigues  of  the  cli- 
mate, Ace.  as  to  have  scarcely  more  than  two  hundred 
infantry  and  one  hundred  cavalry,  fit  for  duty,  his 
Lordship  ordered  the   71st  regiment,   under  Capt. 
Hutchinson,  consisting  of  two  hundred  rank  and  file, 
to  join  him  :  at  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe's  particular  request, 
a  three  pounder  was  annexed.   The  incessant  marches 
of  the  Rangers,  and  their  distance  from  their  stores, 
had  so  worn  out  their  shoes,  that,  on  Lt.  Colonel  Sim- 
coe's calling  for  a  return,  it  appeared  that  near  fifty 
men  were  absolutely  barefooted ;  upon  assembling 
them,  when  they  were  informed  that  they  were  wanted 
for  active  employment,  and  that  those  who  chose  to 


m 


OF  THE  queen's  RANGERS. 


213 


le  guards, 
g  post,  a 
er  his  re- 
nd  taken ; 
as  obtain- 
rned.    On 
he  found 
mmitted  a 
rected  him 
me  by  the 
being  fully 
rreeable  to 
le  next  day. 
)e  marched 
orted  to  be 
iver :  I-ord 
j-ce  consist- 
:he  Queen's 
s  of  the  cli- 
wo  hundred 
)r  duty,  his 
nder  Capt. 
,nk  and  file, 
ar  request, 
int  marches 
heir  stores, 
olonel  Sim- 
,t  near  fifty 
assembhng 
irere  wanted 
10  chose  to 


stay  with  the  army  might  do  so,  there  was  not  a  man 
who  would  remain  behind  the  corps.    Lord  CornwaUis 
ordered  him,  on  his  return,  to  join  the  army  at  Gooch- 
land Court-house,  whither  he  should  march  to  receive 
his  detachment,  and  that  of  Lt.  Col.  Tarleton,  which 
was  to  endeavour  to  seize  on  the  assembly  at  Char- 
lottesville ;  and  then,  if  circumstances  admitted  of  it, 
to  fall  back  by  the  point  of  Fork.    Lt.  Spencer,  with 
twenty  huzzars,  formed  the  advance  guard:   these 
were  chos6ii  men,  and  mounted  on  the  fleetest  horses. 
Capt.  Stevenson,  with  the  light  infantry  company,  and 
the  Hessian  riflemen,  under  Lt.  Beikcl,  followed :  the 
71st  succeeded  with  the  can  ^'^n,  followed  by  Capt. 
Althause  with  his  riflemen,  uiid  those  of  the  Queen's 
Rangers :  the  infantr^  and  Capt.  Sha  ;:,  with  the  cav- 
alry of  the  Rangers ,  ck  sed  the  rear.    In  case  of  at- 
tack, the  battalion  m  front  (and  the  two  bilt  Jions 
marched  there  alternately)  was  directed  to  form  in 
line ;  that  which  followed,  to  close  up  into  column 
ready  to  march  to  which  ever  flank  it  was  ordered, 
as  the  cavalry  under  Capt.  Shank  was  to  the  other. 
The  whole  of  the  cavalry  preceded  the  march,  till 
the  detachment  crossed  the  bridge  over  the  South 
Anna :  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  then  proceeded  with  the  ut- 
most despatch,  by  Bird's  ordinary,  towards  Napier's 
ford,  the  -e.  >nd  ford  on  the  Rivana,  above  the  Flu- 
vana,  the  junction  of  which  rivers,  at  the  point  of 
Fork,  forms  the  James  river :  not  a  person  escaped 
who  tv  as  in  sight,  and  the  advanced  cavalry  were  so 
tn  maged  as  totally  to  conceal  the  advance  of  the  in- 
fantry.   At  night  the  corps  lay  upon  their  arms,  in 
17* 


I 


i:. 


*■ 


■A 


i-'l 


M 


214 


JOURNAL  OP  THE  OPERATIONS 


'If 


,    I... 


\ 


the  strongest  position  which  could  be  conveniently 
found,  on  the  principle  of  making  a  front  each  way ; 
and  having  a  strong  reserve  of  infantry,  as  well  as 
cavalry,  within  the  circle,  ready  to  support  any  part 
which  might  be  attacked,  and  to  sally  from  it  if  or- 
dered :  the  guards  and  sentinels  were,  as  usual,  in 
ambuscade.  After  two  days'  march,  as  the  party  ap- 
proached Napier's  ford,  some  prisoners  and  letters 
were  taken,  and  other  intelligence  obtained,  by  which 
it  appeared,  that  the  march  had  been  hitherto  undis- 
covered, and  that  Lt.  Col.  Tarleton's  detachment 
alone  had  been  heard  of;  that  Baron  Steuben  was 
about  to  march  to  oppose  a  patrole  of  Earl  Corn- 
wallis'  army,  or,  more  probably,  deceived  in  his  intel- 
ligence of  a  detachment  that  had  never  been  made ; 
and,  that  the  Baron's  force  consisted  of  nine  hundred 
effective  men,  exclusive  of  the  militia  who  were  as- 
sembling to  join  him.  The  troops  had  already  march- 
ed that  day  nearly  twenty  miles,  and  the  two  preced- 
ing days  not  less  than  thirty  each,  when  this  intelli- 
gence was  accumulated.  Lt.  Spencer  was  directed  to 
proceed  cautiously,  gaining  what  intelligence  he  could, 
to  Naj>ier's  house,  which  stood  on  a  high  and  com- 
manding ground  ;  near  which  it  was  intended  to  halt 
during  the  night  and  to  ambuscade  the  ford,  it  being 
the  purpose  to  attack  the  enemy,  by  day  break,  the 
next  morning.  Lt.  Spencer  went  to  the  house  of  a 
Colonel  Thompson,  which  was  surrounded  with  very 
high  fences,  and,  alighting  from  his  horse,  approached 
that  gentleman,  who  was  accompanied  by  four  of  the 
militia,  asking,  in  a  familiar  manner,  the  road  to  the 


OF  THE  queen's  RANGERS. 


215 


veniently 
ich  way ; 
s  well  as 
any  part 
a  it  if  or- 
usual,  in 
I  party  ap- 
nd  letters 
,  by  which 
rto  uiidis- 
etachment 
3uben  was 
iarl  Corn- 
in  his  intel- 
een  made; 
ne  hundred 
o  were  as- 
lady  niarch- 
wo  preced- 
lis  intelli- 
irected  to 
;e  he  could, 
and  com- 
ded  to  halt 
•d,  it  being 
ircak,  the 
louso  of  a 
with  very 
.pproached 
four  of  the 
•cad  to  the 


Baron's  camp.  Col.  Thompson,  suspecting  his  errand, 
though  armed,  retreated  precipitately  and  made  his 
escape,  with  three  of  his  men ;  the  fourth,  seeing  that 
two  huzzars,  who  had  accompanied  Lt.  Spencer, 
could  not  get  over  the  fence,  or  assist  him,  presented 
a  double  barrel  piece  within  five  yards  of  his  breast : 
Lt.  Spencer,  with  great  presence  of  mind,  immediately 
threatened  to  have  him  flogged  on  his  arrival  at  the 
Baron's  camp,  and,  pulling  some  papers  from  his  pock- 
et, told  him,  that  they  were  his  despatches  from  M. 
Fayette  :  at  the  same  time  he  moved  gently  towards 
him,  intending,  if  possible,  to  seize  the  muzzle  of  his 
firelock,  but,  as  the  one  advanced,  the  other  retreated, 
keeping  his  piece  still  presented,  until,  getting  over  a 
fence  at  the  back  of  the  house,  he  ran  towards  the 
river.  At  this  moment,  Lt.  Spencer  could  have  shot 
him  with  a  pocket  pistol ;  but  having  received  intima- 
tion from  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe,  that  it  was  expected  the 
enemy  had  a  post  at  Napier's  ford,  two  miles  lower, 
he  prudently  permitted  him  to  escape,  rather  than 
make  an  alarm :  these  people  left  five  good  horses 
behind  them.  He  then  proceeded  to  Napier's  ford, 
and  leaving  his  party  unseen,  at  a  proper  distance,  he 
crossed  the  river,  with  three  men :  on  the  opj)Osite 
side  were  two  militia  men  well  mounted,  from  wiiom 
he  learnt  that  Baron  Steuben  was  at  the  point  of 
Fork ;  that  he  had  sent  the  greatest  part  of  his  stores, 
and  some  troops,  on  the  south  side  the  river,  and  was 
superintending  the  transportation  of  the  remainder 
with  the  greatest  despatcii.  Lt.  Spencer  completely 
imposed  on  their  creduUty ;  they  sutlered  him  to  re- 


1^ 

I 


-•1 


M 


-*'-•*'; 


216 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  OPERATIONS 


i|  i 


I 


.1-  )•/ 


lieve  them  with  two  of  his  own  men,  and  accompani- 
ed him  to  Col.  Napier's  house,  whom  he  took  prison- 
er. On  this  intelhgence,  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  determined 
to  march,  with  the  utmost  celerity,  towards  Baron 
Steuben,  hoping  to  cut  off"  his  rear  guard :  Lt.  Spen- 
cer preceded  and  occupied  the  road,  and  every  point 
from  whence  the  troops  could  be  seen,  as  they  forded 
the  river ;  and,  in  order  to  prevent  any  intelligence 
from  Col.  Thompson.  Within  two  miles  of  Baron 
Steuben's  encampment,  a  patrole  of  dragoons  appear- 
ed ;  they  were  chased  and  taken :  it  consisted  of  a 
French  officer  and  four  of  Armand's  corps.  They 
confirmed  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  in  his  belief,  that  Baron 
Steuben  was  ignorant  of  his  approach,  as  they  were 
destined  to  patrole  twenty  miles  from  thu  point  of 
Fork  to  the  place  where,  it  afterwards  appeared.  Earl 
Cornwallis's  army  had  arrived  the  preceding  night, 
and  they  were  to  have  passed  the  Rivana  at  its  lowest 
ford,  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe's  circuituous  march,  to  cross 
at  the  upper,  having  answered  the  expected  purpose. 
T'  advanced  men  of  the  huzzars  changed  clothes 
Willi  the  prisoners,  and  dispositions  were  now  made 
for  the  attack.  The  huzzars  in  the  enemy's  clothing, 
were  directed  to  gallop  to  the  only  house  on  the  point, 
and  where  it  was  understood  Baron  Steuben  was,  at 
once  to  dismount  and,  if  possible,  to  seize  him :  they 
were  to  bo  supported  by  a  detachment  of  cavalry, 
the  light  infantry  company  and  the  cannon.  Captain 
Stevenson  was  intended  to  fortify  the  house,  and  to 
place  the  cannon  there  as  a  point  of  reserve ;  Captain 
Hutchinson  was  to  form  the  Highlanders,  on  the  Icff ; 


I;:} 


'■  'll 


OF  THE  dVEEN^S  RANGERS. 


217 


compani- 
k  prison- 
stermined 
ds  Baron 
Lt.  Spen- 
^ery  point 
ley  forded 
itelligence 

of  Baron 
ns  appear- 
iisted  of  a 
ps.  They 
that  Baron 

they  were 
\\M  point  of 
►eared,  Earl 
eding  night, 
it  its  lowest 
h,  to  cross 
ed  purpose. 

igcd  clothes 
now  made 
|y's  clothing, 

in  the  point, 

iben  was,  at 
him:  they 
of  cavalry, 

In.    Captain 

►use,  and  to 
c;  Captain 

L  on  the  left ; 


and  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  meant  to  occupy  the  wood  on 
the  right  of  the  house.  The  order  was  about  to  be 
given  for  the  men  to  lay  down  their  knapsacks,  when 
the  advance  guard  brought  in  Mr.  Farley,  Baron  Steu- 
ben's Aid  du  Camp  :  he  mistook  them  for  the  patrole 
which  had  been  just  taken,  and  came  to  see  whether 
it  had  set  off.  Serjeant  Wright  being  near  the  size 
and  appearance  of  Mr.  Farley,  was  directed  to  ex- 
change clothes  with  him,  to  mount  his  horse,  and  lead 
the  advance  guard  ;  when  that  officer  assured  Lieut 
Col.  Simcoe,  that  he  had  seen  every  man  over  the 
Fluvana,  before  he  left  the  point  of  Fork  :  this  was 
confirmed  by  some  waggoners,  who,  with  their  teams, 
were  now  taken.  The  cavalry  immediately  advanced, 
and  the  enemy  being  plainly  seen  on  the  opposite  side, 
nothing  remained  but  to  stop  some  boats,  which  were 
putting  off  from  the  extreme  point :  this  Capt.  Shank 
effected,  and  took  about  thirty  people  who  were  on 
the  banks,  from  which  the  embarkation  had  proceed- 
ed. Every  method  was  now  taken  to  persuade  the 
enemy,  that  the  party  was  Earl  Cornwallis's  army, 
that  they  might  leave  the  opposite  shore,  which  was 
covered  with  arms  and  stores  :  Capt.  Hutchinson, 
with  the  7.dt  -cgiment,  (clothed  in  red,)  was  directed 
to  advance  as  near  to  the  banks  of  the  Fluvana  as  ho 
could  with  perfect  safety,  and  without  the  hazard  of 
a  single  man,  from  the  enemy's  shot,  who  had  lined 
the  opposite  shore  :  the  baggage  and  women  halted 
among  the  woods,  on  the  sununit  of  the  hill,  and,  in 
thot  position,  made  the  appearance  of  a  numerous 
corps :  the  three-poundcr  was  carried  down,  the  ar- 


i- 


(■?'.<  ,*.; 


i.<;  .1    ,  •  ( 


,► 
^ 

fe 


218 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  OPERATIONS 


Ml-' 

'"  ':,  I.  ■      ^ 


tillery  men  being  positively  ordered  to  fire  but  one 
shot  and  to  take  the  best  aim  possible,  which  they 
performed,  killing  the  horse  of  one  of  Baron  Steu- 
ben's orderly  dragoons.      The  troops  occupied  the 
heights  which  covered  the  neck  of  the  point,  and 
their  numbers  were  concealed  in  the  wood.    Baron 
Steuben  was  encamped  on  the  heights  on  the  oppo- 
site side  of  the  river,  about  three  quarters  of  a  mile 
from  its  banks  :  the  prisoners,  and  observation  con- 
firmed the  information  which  had  been  received  of 
his  numbers.    As  night  approached,  and  the  me  i  were 
somewhat  refreshed,  every  precaution  was  taken  to 
prevent  any  surprise  which  the  number,  and  the  char- 
acter of  the  enemy's  general,  might  lead  them  to  at- 
tempt.   Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  who,  from  his  childhood,  had 
been  taught  to  consider  the  military  as  the  most  ex- 
tensive and  profound  of  sciences,  had  no  apprehen- 
sion from  the  talents  of  such  men  as  had  been  edu- 
cated in  different  professions,  and  whom  accident  had 
placed  at  the  head  of  armies ;  and  he  had  always  as- 
serted it  as  a  principle,  that,  from  the  superiority  of 
the  King's  troops,  and  of  the  ofiicers  who  led  them, 
if  he  should  ever  have  a  command,  in  which  he  should 
be  superior  in  one  species  of  troops,  whether  cavalry 
or  infantry,  he  would  be  totally  unconcerned  for  the 
event  of  any  action  he  might  have  with  the  enemy. 
Baron  Steuben  had  no  cavalry,  yet,  in  the  present  sit- 
uation, there  was  great  room  for  anxiety,  since  the 
immediate  ground  of  encampment  was  not  favourable 
for  the  exertions  of  his  few,  but  well  trained,  well  of- 
ficered, and  invincible  body  of  cavalry  ;  and  the  enc- 


but  one 
ich  they 
on  Steu- 
ipied  the 
oint,  and 
[.    Baron 
the  oppo- 
of  a  mile 
ition  con- 
Bce.'ved  of 
!  me  1  were 
8  taien  to 
d  the  char- 
hem  to  at- 
[dhood,  had 
le  most  ex- 
>  apprehen- 
ibeen  edu- 
ccident  had 
always  as- 
periority  of 
o  led  them, 
h  he  should 
iher  cavalry 
•ned  for  the 
the  enemy, 
present  sit- 
^  since  the 
t  favourable 
led,  well  of- 
nd  the  enc- 


OF  THE  queen's  RANGERS. 


219 


my  were  led  by  a  Prussian  officer.    The  very  milita- 
ry instructions  of  his  king  were  capable  of  forming 
better  officers  than  any  other  theory  could  possibly  do, 
or  probably  could  be  effected  by  the  experience  of  ten ' 
campaigns  under  incompetent  masters.    In  the  exer- 
cise also  which  he  had  given  the  rebel  army,  the  Baron 
Steuben  had  shown  himself  an  able  officer,  and  that 
he  well  knew  how  to  adapt  the  science  of  war  to  the 
people  whom  he  was  to  instruct,  and  to  the  country 
in  which  he  was  to  act.    He  had  passed  the  Fluvana; 
but  he  had  done  this  in  consequence  of  his  orders  to 
join  General  Green's  army  :  an  express  sent  to  coun- 
termand this  order,  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  knew  had  been 
taken  a  few  days  before  by  Lt.  Col.  Tarleton ;  and  it 
was  fair  to  suppose,  that  he  might  now  have  further 
intelligence ;  that  he  might  be  perfectly  acquainted 
with  the  numbers  of  his  opponents,  and  might  possi- 
bly determine  to  attack  lit.  Col.  Simcoe,  as  well  as 
the  detachment  which  the  intercepted  letter  mentioned, 
that  he  was  preparing  to  meet.    Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  was 
therefore  apprehensive,  lest  Baron  Steuben,  having 
secured  his  stores  which  were  of  great  value,  over  a 
broad  and  unfordable  river,  and,  being  in  possession 
of  all  the  boats,  should  repass  his  troops  in  tlie  night, 
higher  up  the  river,  and  fall  on  him,  so  that,  if  the 
British  troops  should  be  beaten,  they  would  have  no 
retreat,  being  shut  up  between  two  rivers,  while  those 
of  the  Americans,  sliould  they  be  repulsed,  were  pre- 
served from  the  pfsuit  of  the  cavalry  by  the  thick 
woods,  which  came  close  to  their  encampment,  and, 
from  that  of  the  infantry,  by  the  fatigues  they  had  un- 


I 


'  ■■■> 


.Mil 


H 


V 

>!,'^ 


220 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  OPERATIONS 


ii;ViV. 


i4 


t 


W  y'i  -^r  ■ 

■a  ^•■^     s.>.;';    *^  ^ 


.iK^.y') 


dergone  in  a  march  of  nearly  forty  miles  the  preced- 
ing mcrniiig.    These  ideas  occupied  the  mind  of  Lt. 
Col.  Simcoe,  and  he  would  have  quitted  his  camp  had 
he  not  thought  the  troops  too  much  fatigued,  to  search 
for  a  more  favourable  position,  which  was  not  to  be 
attained  for  some  miles ;  and,  partly,  had  he  not  hoped 
that  Steuben  would  believe  him  to  be  the  advance  of 
Earl  Cornwallis'  army,  particularly,  as  the  light  troops 
had  no  soldiers  among  them  clothed  like  the  71st  regi- 
ment, in  red.    That  regiment,  and  the  Queen's  Ran- 
gers, occupied  the  roads,  with  rail  fletches  and  other 
defences  :  Capt.  Althause,  with  his  company  and  the 
Yagers,  were  posted  on  a  knoU,  among  the  woods, 
between  the  main  body  and  the  Fluvana,  the  cavalry 
lay  in  the  rear  of  the  Queen's  Rangers,  and  small 
posts  were  extended  so  as  to  form  a  chain  between 
the  rivers.     Capt.  Shank  had  orders  to  send  continual 
patroles  of  cavalry  from  river  to  river,  about  half  a 
mile  in  front  of  the  infantry ;  and  the  troops  were 
acquainted  with  the  probabihty  of  an  attack,  and 
were  perfectly  prepared  for  it.    At  night,  the  enemy 
were  heard  destroying  their  boats,  with  great  noise  : 
at  midnight,  Capt.  Shank  informed  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe, 
that  they  were  making  up  their  fires,  and  that  he  sup- 
posed they  were  moving;  with  which  he  perfectly 
agreed,  M'hen  it  was  seen  that  they  were  utiiformly 
refreshed  throughout  their  camp.    Soon  after,  a  desert- 
er and  a  little  drummer  boy  came  from  the  enemy  in  a 
canoe,  and  gave  information  that  Steuben  had  marched 
off  on  the  road  by  Cumberland  Court-house,  towards 
North  Carolina.    It  is  remarkable  this  boy  belonged 


}  preced- 
id  of  Lt. 
;amp  had 
to  search 
not  to  be 
not  hoped 
dvance  of 
ght  troops 

71st  regi- 
icn's  Ran- 

and  other 
ny  and  the 
he  woods, 
[he  cavahy 

and  small 
in  between 
d  continual 
bout  half  a 
•oops  were 

ittack,  and 

the  enemy 
Ireat  noise : 

(1.  Simcoe, 

:hat  he  sup- 

le  perfectly 
uniformly 

|er,  a  desert- 
enemy  in  a 

[ad  marched 
ise,  towards 
>y  belonged 


OF  THE  queen's  RANGERS. 


221 


to  the  71st  regiment :  he  had  been  taken  prisoner  at 
the  Cow-pens,  enlisted  with  the  enemy,  and  now, 
making  his  escape,  was  received  by  the  piquet  which 
his  father  commanded.    When  day-light  appeared, 
there  was  not  an  enemy  to  be  seen.    Sergeant  John 
M'Donald,  of  the  Highland  company  of  the  Queen's 
Rangers,  swam  over  to  the  enemy's  shore,  and  brought 
off  a  large  canoe  :  two  or  three  smaller  ones  were 
found  on  the  Rivana.      The  cannon    and  riflemen 
were  sent  down  to  line  the  bushes  on  the  banks  of 
the  Fiuvana ;  and,  under  their  protection.     Captain 
Stevenson,  with  twenty  of  the  light  infantry,  passed 
over  to  the  opposite  banks,  wl  ich  he  found  covered 
with  the  enemy's  stores.     Cornet  Wolsey  was  then 
sent  over  with  four  huzzars,  with  their  saddles :  he 
was  directed  to  get  some  of  the  straggling  horses 
which  had  been  left  by  the  enemy,  to  post  himself 
upon  the  road  on  the  summit  of  the  hill,  and  then,  if 
he  should  meet  with  an  enemy's  patrole,  to  make  a 
great  shout  and  every   demonstration  of  pursuing 
them,  to  impress  them  with  an  idea  that  the  whole 
corps  had  passed.    Capt.  Stevenson  was  employed  in 
sending  oft*  such  things  as  might  be  useful  to  the 
troops,  and  destroying  the  remainder.     As  the  de- 
tachment met  with  plenty  of  provisions  and  forage  at 
the  point  of  Fork,  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  determined  to  halt 
there  the  whole  of  the  day ;  but,  that  his  return  to 
Earl  Cornwallis'  army  might  not  be  in  the  least  de- 
layed, he  was  attentive  to  the  building  of  a  float,  by 
which  he  might  pass  the  Rivana  at  its  confluence  with 
the  South  Anna  :  this  would  save  him  a  day  v.  march, 
18 


i 

I 
% 

'»i 


t-i- 


222 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  OPERATIONS 


I 


;iffl">,.ii '.%,  •<  ■ 


m^tj'i- 


.r  ■)■■ 


which  he  must  have  made  in  case  he  should  repass  it 
at  the  nearest  ford.  He  also  meant  to  use  this  float 
in  carrying  down  the  cannon  and  mortars  which  the 
enemy  had  left,  to  Earl  Cornwallis,  at  Goochland 
Court-house.  In  the  middle  of  the  day  a  patrole  from 
Lt.  Col.  Tarleton,  who  was  on  the  opposite  side  of 
the  Rivana,  communicated  with  him ;  the  float  was 
completed  and  launched  towards  noon,  and  Capt.  Ste- 
venson, having  effectually  done  his  business,  returned 
in  the  evening.  Cornet  Wolsey  had  very  fortunately 
executed  his  orders,  for  a  patrole  of  the  enemy  had 
approached  to  the  place  where  he  was  posted,  and, 
on  perceiving  him,  fled  with  the  utmost  speed.  It  was 
afterwards  understood,  that  on  this  patrole  joining 
Baron  Steuben,  in  consequence  of  their  report,  he 
immediately  proceeded  twenty  miles  farther,  though 
he  had  already  marched  thirty  miles  from  the  point 
of  Fork.  He  must  have  believed  that  the  whole  of 
Earl  Cornwallis'  army  were  in  pursuit  of  him,  or  he 
would  have  scarcely  abandoned  such  a  quantity  of 
stores :  a  guard  of  twenty  or  thirty  men  would  have 
effectually  prevented  the  Rangers  from  destroying 
them,  and  they  would  have  been  in  perfect  safety  in  that 
case,  had  Earl  Corwallis  adhered  to  his  first  intention, 
of  halting  at  Goochland  Court-house.  The  army  arri- 
ving near  the  point  of  Fork  on  the  7th  of  June,  Lt.  Col. 
Simcoe  passed  the  Rivana,  and  rejoined  it.  The  Flu- 
vana  being  a  larger  river  than  the  Rivana,  at  its  con- 
fluence forces  back  the  latter  and  it  becomes  as  still 
as  a  mill  pond.  The  water  was  fenced,  as  it  were, 
with  spars  and  canoes,  so  as  to  make  a  lane,  and  the 


hors< 
pas8( 
dred 
hours 
broug 
boat, 
ried  o 
Earl 
destra 
hundre 
der,  ca 
phur,  a 
of  rum 
tools,  a 
with  ca 
great  va 
meiit  of 
saries,  a 
ed  amon 
teen-inc 
four  Jon^ 
York  T< 
[  der.    Li 
detachec 
the  ware 
he  passe 
J  Seven  is 
j  of  gunpo 
I  houses  o] 
militia  w 
The  arm' 


^'i 


repass  it 
this  float 
hich  the 
oochland 
role  from 
[e  side  of 
float  was 
3apt.  Ste- 
;,  returned 
brtunately 
nemy  had 
)sted,  and, 
id.    It  was 


or  THE  queen's  rangers. 


223 


ole  joining 
report,  he 
ler,  though 
n  the  point 
le  whole  of 
him,  or  he 
quantity  of 
would  have 
destroying 
lafety  in  that 
st  intention, 
e  army  arri- 
iUne,  Lt.  Col. 
The  Flu- 
.,  at  its  con- 
imes  as  still 
as  it  were, 
[ane,  and  the 


horses  swam  over  between  them :  the  infantry 
passed  on  the  float,  which  held,  with  ease,  a  hun- 
dred and  thirty  men,  and  had  been  made  in  four 
hours ;  and  the  artillery,  some  of  which  had  been 
brought  over  from  the  opposite  shore  in  a  smaller 
boat,  made  by  the  junction  of  two  canoes,  were  car- 
ried over  on  it,  and  put  into  empty  waggons  sent  by 
Earl  Cornwallis  for  that  purpose.  There  were 
destroyed  at  the  point  of  Fork,  two  thousand  five 
hundred  stand  of  arms,  a  large  quantity  of  gunpow- 
der, case  shot,  (Sec,  several  casks  of  saltpetre,  sul- 
phur, and  brimstone,  and  upwards  of  sixty  hogsheads 
of  rum  and  brandy,  several  chests  of  carpenters' 
tools,  and  upwards  of  four  hundred  intrenching  tools, 
with  casks  of  flints,  sail  cloth  and  waggons,  and  a 
great  variety  of  small  stores,  necessary  for  the  equip- 
ment of  cavalry  and  infantry  :  such  Unen  and  neces- 
saries, as  would  be  of  immediate  service,  were  divid- 
ed among  the  captors.  There  were  taken  off",  a  thir- 
teen-inch  mortar,  five  brass  eight-inch  howitzers,  and 
four  long  brass  nine  pounders,  mounted  afterwards  at 
York  Town :  all  French  pieces  and  in  excellent  or- 
der. Lieut.  Col.  Simcoe,  on  the  9th  of  June,  was 
detached  with  his  cavalry  to  destroy  some  tobacco  in 
the  warehouses,  on  the  northern  bank  of  the  Fluvana : 
he  passed  at  the  lowest  ford,  and  proceeding  to  the 
Seven  islands,  destroyed  one  hundred  and  fifty  barrels 
of  gunpowder,  and  burnt  all  the  tobacco  in  the  ware- 
houses on  the  river  side,  returning  with  some  rebel 
militia  whom  he  had  surprised  and  made  prisoners. 
The  army  remained  in  this  district  till  the  13th  of 


224 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  OPERATIONS 


,',»-;•  I- 


June  ;  and  the  cavalry  of  the  Queen's  Rangers  made 
several  patroles,  particularly  one  to  Bird's  ordinary, 
at  midnight,  where,  it  was  understood,  the  Marquis 
de  la  Fayette,  with  his  forces,  had  arrived.  It  ap- 
peared, however,  that  they  were  at  a  great  distance, 
so  that  the  army  moved  towards  Richmond,  the 
Queen's  Rangers  forming  the  rear  guard.  The  71st 
regiment  here  left  the  Rangers ;  the  two  corps  had 
acted  with  the  utmost  harmony  together,  and  Lt.  Col. 
Sinicoe  remembers,  with  great  satisfaction,  the  ex- 
pressions of  good  will  and  regret  which  both  the  offi- 
cers and  soldiers  of  that  distinguished  regiment  made 
use  of,  when  they  quitted  his  command.  Earl  Corn- 
wallis  arrived  at  Richmond  the  16th  of  June.  On 
the  17th,  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  was  detached  with  some 
infantry  and  his  cavalry,  to  pass  the  James  river,  near 
Henrico  Court-house ;  which  he  did  the  next  morn- 
ing, to  facilitate  the  passage  of  the  boats  with  con- 
valescents up  to  Richmond,  and  to  clear  the  southern 
banks  of  the  James  river  of  any  parties  of  militia 
who  might  be  stationed  to  annoy  them.  The  detach- 
ment recrossed  the  river  on  the  night  of  the  19th, 
from  Manchester  to  Richmond,  and  Captain  Ewald, 
with  the  Yagers,  joined  the  Queen's  Rangers.  On 
the  20th  it  being  reported  that  the  enemy  had  a  flying 
corps,  all  mounted,  under  Gen.  Muhlenberg,  and  con- 
sisting of  twelve  hundred  men,  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  was 
directed  to  patrole  for  intelligence :  he  marched  with 
forty  cavalry  (but  considering  this  a  service  of  par- 
ticular danger)  with  the  utmost  caution.  He  quitted 
the  road  and  marched  through  the  woods,  as  nearly 


paral] 

ed,  W( 

his  gi 

of  the 

their  c 

Lt.  Spi 

ty  to 

eflfecte 

twenty 

though 

and  tw 

Simcoe 

the  pris 

marchei 

on  the  : 

Rangers 

two  mil( 

was  ord( 

ahomin} 

and  som 

all  the  c{ 

to  Willis 

I  him,  tha 

J  two  or  t 

atWillia 

J  coe  marc 

suming  a 

collected 

I  where  he 

(stroy  on 

I  Dandrige' 


if 


OF  THE  QUEEN^S  RANGERS. 


225 


jrs  made 
ardinary, 
Marquis 
.    It  ap- 
distance, 
lond,  the 
The  71st 
jorps  had 
id  Lt.  Col. 
1,  the  ex- 
th  the  offi- 
iient  made 
iarl  Corn- 
June.    On 
with  some 
river,  near 
[lext  moni- 
with  con- 
le  southern 
of  miUtia 
he  detach- 
the  19th, 
ain  Ewald, 
igers.    On 
lad  a  flying 
■g,  and  con- 
imcoe  was 
irched  with 
ice  of  par- 
He  quitted 
as  nearly 


parallel  to  it  as  the  enclosures,  which  had  been  clear- 
ed, would  admit.  After  a  march  of  a  few  miles,  to 
his  great  satisfaction,  he  discovered  a  flag  of  truce, 
of  the  enemy ;  and  he  was  certain,  that  according  to 
their  custom,  some  of  them  would  be  found  *  i  its  rear. 
Lt.  Spencer  was  therefore  detached  with  a  small  par- 
ty to  get  beyond  them  upon  the  road,  which  he 
effected,  and  found  himself  in  the  rear  of  a  party  of 
twenty  men ;  but  the  woods  on  his  right  being  open, 
though  Lt.  Lawler  supported  him  in  front,  one  officer 
and  two  or  three  men  only  were  taken.  Lt.  Col. 
Simcoe  inmiediately  returned,  having  procured  from 
the  prisoners  every  requisite  intelligence.  The  army 
marched,  on  the  21st  of  June,  to  Bottom-bridge,  and 
on  the  22d  to  New  Kent  Court-house :  the  Queen's 
Rangers,  who  made  the  rear  with  the  Yagers,  lay  near 
two  miles  on  the  left  of  the  army.  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe 
was  ordered  to  march  the  next  day  towards  the  Chick- 
ahominy,  where  it  was  supposed  there  was  a  foundery, 
and  some  boats :  these  he  was  to  destroy,  to  collect 
all  the  cattle  he  could  find  in  the  country,  and  proceed 
to  Williamsburg ;  and  Lord  Cornwallis  expressly  told 
him,  that  he  might,  in  these  operations,  safely  stsiy 
two  or  three  days  behind  the  army,  who  were  to  be 
at  Williamsburg  on  the  25th  of  June.  Lt.  Col.  Sim- 
coe marched  early  in  the  morning  of  the  24th,  con- 
suming a  quantity  of  Indian  corn,  which  had  been 
collected  by  the  enemy's  commissary,  at  the  house 
where  he  quartered :  he  found  little  or  nothing  to  de- 
stroy on  the  Chickahominy,  and  halted  that  night  at 
Dandrige's,  as  Earl  Cornwallis  did  in  the  neighbour- 
18* 


}i 


226 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  OPERATIONS 


Win  "  -. 


hood  of  Bird's  ordinary.  The  bridge  over  the  Diesc- 
kung  creek  (a  branch  of  the  Chickahominy)  had  been 
broken  down  :  this  was  three  miles  in  the  rear  of  the 
detachment,  and  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  would  have  passed 
it  that  night,  so  diffident  was  he  of  his  security,  had 
not  the  men  been  too  much  fatigued  with  their  march, 
to  be  employed  in  so  laborious  a  task  as  the  repair  of 
this  bridge  was  understood  to  be.  The  next  morn- 
ing, at  day  break,  the  detachment  arrived  there :  it 
had  been  carelessly  destroyed,  and  was,  by  anxious 
and  laborious  exertion,  repaired  sufficiently  to  pass 
over.  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  then  destroyed  it  most  effect- 
ually, and  marched  on  to  Cooper's  mills  on  the  25th, 
near  twenty  miles  from  Williamsburg,  where  Earl 
Cornwallis  arrived  in  the  course  of  the  day.  Lord 
Cornwallis's  waggons  had  been  at  the  mills  the  day 
before,  and  taken  from  thence  all  the  flour  they  con- 
tained, so  that  it  was  difficult  to  get  subsistence.  Lt. 
Col.  Simcoe  felt  his  situation  to  be  a  very  anxious 
one :  he  had  not  the  smallest  information  of  the  ene- 
my's movements,  whom  he  knew  to  be  active  and  en- 
terprising; to  have  been  lately  joined  by  Gen.  Wayne; 
and,  that  it  was  their  obvious  policy,  to  follow  Earl 
Cornwallis  as  far  towards  the  neck  of  Williamsburg 
as  with  safety  they  could,  and  to  take  any  little  ad- 
vantage which  they  could  magnify  in  their  newspa- 
pers. He  had  received  no  advices  from  Earl  Corn- 
wallis, whose  general  intelligence  he  knew  to  be  very 
bad ;  and  he  and  Major  Armstrong  agreed  with  Capt. 
Ewald,  that  the  slightest  reliance  was  not  to  be  placed 
on  any  patroles  from  his  Lordship's  army.    The  next 


Iff  ' ' 


m 

4 


!i 


:.<  hi 


OF  THE  queen's  RANGERS. 


227 


he  Diesc- 
had  been 
ear  of  the 
,ve  passed 
iirity,  had 
eir  march, 
e  repair  of 
ext  morn- 
[  there:  it 
)y  anxious 
ly  to  pass 
aost  effect- 
in  the  25th, 
vhere  Earl 
day.    Lord 
ills  the  day 
r  they  con- 
istence.  Lt. 
|ery  anxious 
of  the  ene- 
Itive  and  en- 
en.  Wayne; 
[follow  Earl 
ilhamsburg 
ly  Uttle  ad- 
lir  newspa- 
Earl  Corn- 
to  be  very 
with  Capt. 
to  be  placed 
The  next 


advantage,  to  receiving  good  intelligence,  is  to  deceive 
the  enemy  with  that  which  is  false  :  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe 
could  not  procure  any  confidential  person  to  go  to  M. 
de  la  Fayette's  camp  :  he  therefore  promised  a  great 
reward  to  a  man,  whom  he  knew  to  be  a  rebel,  to  go 
thither,  with  express  injunctions  to  return  to  him  by 
six  or  seven  o'clock,  at  the  farthest,  the  next  morning, 
at  which  time  he  said  he  should  march.     The  man 
accordingly  set  out  towards  night;  and,  at  two  o'clock 
in  the  morning,  Major  Armstrong  with  the  Yagers, 
infantry  and  cannon,  was  on  his  march  to  Spencer's 
ordinary,  on  the  forks  of  the  road  between  Williams- 
burg and  Jamestown :  there  he  was  to  halt  till  the 
cavalry  joined  him,  and  then  the  whole,  with  the  con- 
voy of  cattle,  which  Capt.  Branson,  with  some  North 
Carolina  loyaUsts,  had  been  employed  to  collect,  was 
to  proceed  to  WiUiamsburg.    Lt.  Col.  Simcoe,  with 
the  cavalry,  was  under  arms  at  the  time  his  infantry 
marched,  and  ready  to  proceed   *vhenever  Captain 
Branson  thought  there  was  light  sufficient  to  drive  the 
cattle,  and  to  collect  whatever  might  be  met  with  on 
the  road :  the  cavalry  did  not  leave  their  camp  till 
three  o'clock.    On  approaching  Spencer's  ordinary, 
Lieut.  Col.  Simcoe  ordered  the  fences  to  be  thrown 
down,  and  rode  into  the  open  ground  upon  the  right, 
observing  it,  as  was  his  custom,  and  remarking,  to  the 
officers  with  him,  "  that  it  was  an  admirable  place  for 
"  the  chicanery  of  action."    Lt.  Lawler  had  been 
previously  sent  to  direct  the  infantry  to  move  onward 
to  Williamsburg,  when  Major  Armstrong  returning 
with  him,  informed  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  that  there  were 


■f,,-. 


^o.-'  ;.t 


-t- 


A 


228 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  OPERATIONS 


4      '.        ••     .     Vl 


near  an  hundred  head  of  cattle  in  the  neighbourhood  ; 
but  that  he  waited  till  the  drivers  arrived  to  spare  the 
infantry  from  that  fatigue.  Capt.  Branson,  with  hia 
people,  went  to  collect  them  ;  and  Capt.  Shank,  who 
commanded  the  cava'ry,  was  directed  to  feed  his 
horses  at  Lee's  farm,  and  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  accompani- 
ed Major  Armstrong  to  the  infantry.  The  highland 
Company  of  the  Queen's  Rangers  had  been  posted 
in  the  wood,  by  the  side  of  the  road,  as  a  piquet :  a 
shot  or  two  from  their  sentinels  gave  an  alarm,  and 
Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  gallopping  across  the  field,  towards 
the  wood,  saw  Capt.  Shank  in  pursuit  of  the  enemy's 
cavalry.  They  had  passed  through  the  fences  which 
had  been  pulled  down,  as  before-mentioned,  so  that, 
unperceived  by  the  Highlanders,  they  arrived  at  Lee's 
farm,  in  pursuit  of  the  people  who  were  collecting 
the  cattle.  Trumpeter  Barney,  who  had  been  sta- 
tioned as  a  vidette,  gave  the  alarm,  and  gallopped  off 
so  as  not  to  lead  the  enemy  directly  to  where  the 
cavalry  were  collecting  their  forage  and  watering, 
and,  with  great  address,  got  to  them  unperceived  by 
the  enemy,  calling  out  "  draw  your  swords  Rangers, 
"  the  rebels  are  coming."  Capt.  Shank,  who  was  at 
Lee's  farm  waiting  the  return  of  the  troops  wit'i  their 
forage,  in  order  to  post  them,  immediately  joined,  and 
led  them  to  the  charge  on  the  enemy's  flank,  which 
was  somewhat  exposed,  while  some  of  them  were 
engaged  in  securing  the  bat-horses  at  the  back  of 
Lee's  farm  :  he  broke  them  entirely.  Serjeant  Wright 
dashed  Major  Macphersoii,  who  connnanded  them, 
irom  his  horse ;  but,  leaving  him  in  pursuit  uf  others, 


,     Si.  1       ••  I 

,!     •_/  ,4,1  ■',  ;•• 


,/ 


OF  THE  queen's  RANGERS. 


229 


that  officer  crept  into  a  swamp,  lay  there  unperceived 
during  the  action,  and  when  it  was  over  got  off. 
Trumpeter  Barney  dismounted  and  took  a  French 
officer,  who  commanded  one  of  the  divisions.  The 
enemy's  cavalry  were  so  totally  scattered,  that  they 
appeared  no  more  :  many  of  them  were  dismounted, 
and  the  whole  would  have  been  taken,  had  not  a  heavy 
fire  out  of  the  wood,  from  whence  the  Highland  com- 
pany were  now  driven,  protected  them.  At  this  mo- 
ment Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  arrived :  he  had,  at  the  first 
shot,  ordered  the  infantry  to  march  in  column  into 
the  '•oad  towards  the  enemy,  the  light  infantry  com- 
pany and  Capt.  Ewald's  detachment  excepted,  which, 
being  on  the  right,  were  moving  straight  to  their  own 
front  to  gain  the  wood.  Collecting  from  the  prison- 
ers, that  the  enemy  were  in  force,  and  that  M.  de  la 
Fayrtt.e,  and  Ceuemls  Wa^iit;  uiiU  Slciiben  were  at 
no  great  distance,  the  line  was  directed  to  be  formed, 
spreading  itself  with  wide  intervals,  and  covering  a 
great  space  of  ground  between  the  road  on  its  left 
and  Capt.  Ewald  on  the  right;  and,  when  formed,  it 
was  directed  to  advance  to  gain  tiic  wood,  as  it  was 
his  idea,  to  outflank  the  enemy  by  the  length  of  the 
line.  The  principle  which  Lieut.  Col.  Sinicoo  always 
inculcited  and  acted  on  against  the  riflemen,  (whom 
he  judged  to  be  in  the  advanced  corps  of  M.  Fayette's 
army,)  was  to  rush  upon  them  ;  when,  if  epch  sepa- 
rate company  kept  itself  compact,  there  was  little 
danger,  even  should  it  be  surrounded,  i'rom  troops 
who  were  without  bayonets,  and  w  hose  object  it  was 
to  fire  a  single  shot  with  efl'oct :  the  position  of  an 


230 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  OPERATIONS 


mvf 

II!' ■•a' ■■■'I.''-  ■  ■■• 


n 


advancing  soldier  was  calculated  to  lessen  the  true 
aim  of  the  first  shot,  and  his  rapidliy  to  prevent  the 
rifleman,  who  requires  some  time  to  load,  frqm  giving 
a  second  ;  or  at  least  to  render  his  aim  uncertain,  and 
his  fire  by  no  means  formidable.  Lieut.  Col.  Simcoe 
had  withdrawn  the  cavalry  from  the  fire  of  the  ene- 
my, and  directed  Capt.  Althause,  whose  rifle  compa- 
ny had  been  mounted,  to  dismount  and  to  check  them, 
if  they  sallied  from  the  wood  in  pursuit  of  the  caval- 
ry, or  for  the  purpose  of  reconnoitering  ;  and  this  he 
executed  very  effectually.  Captain  Branson  had  dis- 
tinguished himself  in  the  charge  on  the  enemy's  ca- 
valry, and  being  dressed  in  red,  he  became  a  marked 
object  to  them :  he  was  now  ordered  with  the  drivers 
and  the  cattle,  to  proceed  to  Williamsburg ;  expresses 
were  sent  to  Lord  Cornwallis ;  and  Lt.  Allen,  who 
acleil  as  Quni  tci-Mastfr,  curi  iinl  off  tlip.  bii^^jigo  tliat 
road,  was  directed  to  cut  down  trees,  and  to  barricade 
the  first  pass  for  the  corps  to  rally,  in  case  of  neces- 
sity :  the  fences  were  pulled  down  on  the  Jamestown 
road,  in  tlie  rear  of  the  cavalry,  that  the  retreat  might 
be  made  that  way,  if,  which  wa«  every  moment  to  be 
exj)ected,  the  enemy  should  have  occuj)iod  the  Wil- 
lianisburi:  road  in  the  roar.  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  moved 
with  the  cavalry  out  of  sight  of  the  enemy,  down  the 
hill  towards  JamoBtown  road,  and  re-ascending  at 
Lcic's  farm,  there  made  a  display  of  the  whole  force  ; 
then  foil  back  again  behind  the  hill,  leaving  only  the 
front,  a  dotaohinont  of  huzzars,  both  to  prevent  the 
left  frori  l)oing  turned  without  notice,  jind  to  deroive 
the  enemy  into  a  belief  that  the  whole  cavalry  (w  iioso 


J.1 


OF  THE  queen's  RANGERS. 


231 


the  true 
vent  the 
m  giving 
tain,  and 
.  Simcoe 
the  ene- 
3  compa- 
;ck  them, 
he  caval- 
id  this  he 
1  had  dis- 
emy's  ca- 
a  marked 
he  drivers 
expresses 
illen,  who 

i.^jijro  that 
barricade 
of  noces- 
amti&town 
ireat  might 
luont  to  be 
I  the  Wil- 
oo  moved 
I,  down  the 
lending  at 
lolc  force ; 
only  the 
irevont  the 
[to  deceive 
[hy  (whoso 


force  they  had  already  felt)  were  behind  the  eminen- 
ces, waiting  for  an  opportunity  to  fall  upon  their  right 
flank  :  he  returned  rapidly  with  the  rest  of  the  caval- 
ry undiscovered  to  the  road,  and  formed  them  out  of 
sight  and  out  of  reach  of  the  enemy,  partly  in  the 
road  and  partly  on  m  left.     Beyond  Captain  Ewald's 
flank  there  was  open  ground,  which  could  easily  be 
seen  from  the  eminence  on  which  Lieut.  Col.  Simcoe 
was,  and  (by  the  turn  of  the  Williamsburg  road)  the 
cavalry  would  have  had  quick  access  to  it,  had  the 
^'-jomy  appeared  there :  by  the  position  of  the  cavalry, 
it  was  also  ready,  in  case  the  infantry  had  given  way 
to  flank  the  enemy,  if  they  should  issue  from  the 
wood  in  pursuit  of  it ;  the  best  substitute  for  want  of 
the  reserve,  which  from  the  extent  of  the  woods  and 
the  enemy's  numbers,  had  been  thrown  into  the  line. 
Upon  the  left  of  the  road  the  three  pounder  was  placed, 
the  amuzette  having  broken  down  :  there  too  the 
Highland  company  h>id  retired.     The  enemy  now  ap- 
^)eared  in  great  f    .e,  lining  the  fences  on  the  edge  of 
the  wood  (which  separated  it  from  the  open  ground) 
in   front  of  the  infantry;    and    refusing  their  right 
upon  the  open  ground,  by  echelons  ;  j)robably  de- 
ceived by  the  ajjpearance  of  the  cavalry  at  Leo's  farm: 
to  add  to  tlieir  reasons  for  not  advancing,  one  cannon 
shot,  and  no  more,  was  ordered  to  be  fired  at  the 
body,  which  appeannl  to  be  at  the  greatest  distance. 
The  infantry  was  now  in  line,  but  with  intervals  be- 
tween  liie    companies,    advancing   as   fast   as   the 
ploughed  fu'lds  they  had  to  crotjs  would  admit.     Lt. 
'  Jol.  Simcoe  did  not  expect  victory,  but  he  was  deter- 


232 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  OPERATIONS 


WW','-- 

mh:':. 


mined  to  try  for  it ;  his  best  hopes  were  to  obtain  and 
Hne  the  wood,  checking  the  enemy's  advance,  till  such 
times  as  the  convoy  was  in  security,  and  then  to  re- 
treat. He  had  the  most  general  and  particular  confi- 
dence in  the  officers  and  soldiers  of  his  corps,  who 
were  disciplined  enthusiasts  in  the  cause  of  their  coun- 
try, and  who,  having  been  ever  victorious,  thought  it 
impossible  to  suffer  defeat ;  nor  had  he  less  reliance 
on  the  acknowledged  military  talents  of  his  friend 
Ewald,  and  the  cool  and  tried  courage  of  his  Yagers : 
the  event  fully  justified  the  expression  which  he  used 
in  the  beginning  of  the  action,  "  I  will  take  care  of  the 
*'  left ;  while  Ewald  lives,  the  right  flank  will  never 
"be  turned."  Fortune  now  decided  in  favour  of  the 
British  troops  :  the  road  from  Norwal's  mills  was  en- 
closed with  iiigh  and  strong  fences  ;  a  considerable 
body  of  the  enemy  being  on  the  right  of  the  road, 
and,  seeing  the  infantry  advancing,  faced  and  were 
crossing  these  fences  to  flank  them  :  they  did  not  ob- 
serve the  cavalry,  wiiicli,  while  they  were  in  this  dis- 
order, lost  not  the  moment ;  but,  led  by  Capt.  Sliank, 
clmrgj'd  tlirm  up  iho  road,  and  upon  its  left  (;n?iroly 
broke  iind  totally  (lispcrsed  thorn.  The  infnutry  were 
or<lon>(l  to  advance,  and  they  re  lied  on  with  the 
greatest  rapidity  ;  the  enemy's  fire  was  in  vain,  thev 
were  driven  from  tiie  fcenes  and  the  wood.  Cap'. 
Ewald  turned  their  left  flank,  and  gave  them  a  severe 
fire  as  they  fled  in  the  utmost  confusion :  could  he 
have  been  supported  as  he  wished,  by  a  ♦'ery  small 
body  of  fresh  bayr)net  njon,  such  wrr;-  the  advantage; 
of  the  ground,  that  the  enemy,  in  confusion,  and  pan- 


ick  St 
before 
C'Orne 
>vas  ui 
promis 
Queen 
lant  S( 
woundi 
carried 
beyond 
iiowevc 
fallen  k 
they  rel 
scarcel) 
was  not 
his  cava 
might  h. 
most   ir 
throuLdi 
ed    the 
huzzars, 
nv,  con' 
gaiJaritr> 
I'ie  niou. 
'lis  chose 
iiat(^ly  oji 
loss  of  a 
An  afl'iiir 
variety  of 
i'<'ported 
Charles  1 


OF  THE  queen's  RANGERS. 


23o 


tain  and 
till  such 

!n  to  re- 

iar  confi- 

rps,  who 

leir  coun- 

lought  it 

;  rehance 

his  friend 

.8  Yagers: 

h  he  used 

;are  of  the 

will  never 

our  of  the 

Us  was  en- 

)nsiderablc 

[  the  road, 
and  were 

did  not  ob- 
in  this  dis- 
ipl.  Shunk, 
ifi   (Uitirely 
fantry  were 
with  the 
vain,  thev 
lod.     Capt. 
I'm  a  severe 
coidd  he 
»'ory  small 
advantage 

Mi,  and  pan- 


ick  strucken,  would  have  received  a  very  severe  blow, 
before  it  could  have  been  possible  for  them  to  rally. 
Cornet  Jones,  M'ho  led  the  first  division  of  cavalry, 
was  unfortunately  killed  :  he  was  an  active,  sensible, 
promising    officer.      The  mounted  rifiemen  of  the 
Queen's  Rangers  charged  with  Capt.  Shank  :  the  gal- 
lant Sergeant  M'Pherson,  Avho  led  them,  was  mortally 
wounded.     Two  of  the  men  of  this  detachment  were 
carried  away  by  their  impetuosity  so  far  as  to  pass 
beyond  the  enemy,  and  their  horses  were  killed  :  they, 
however,  secreted  themselves  in  the  wood  under  some 
fallen  logs,  and,  when  the  enemy  fled  from  that  spot, 
they  returned  in  safety  to  the  corps.     By  a  mistake, 
scarcely  avoidable  in  the  tumult  of  action,  Capt.  Shank 
was  not  supported,  as  was  intended,  by  the  whole  of 
his  cavalry,  by  which  fewer  prisoners  were  taken  than 
might  have  been  :  that  valuable  officer  was  in  the 
most   imminent   danger,   in   fighting   his  May  back 
through  the  enemy,  m  ho  fired  upon  him,  and  wound- 
ed   the  Trumpeter  Barney  and   killed  some  of  the 
huzziirs,  who  attended  him.     The  grenadier  compa- 
ny, commanded  by  Capt.  M'Gill,  signalized  by  their 
gaJiaatry  as  well  as  by  their  dress,  lost  several  valua- 
ble n^en.    Capt.  Stevenson  was  distinguished  as  usual : 
his  chosen  and  well  trnirhHl  light  infantry  were  obsti- 
nately opposed  ;  b\it  they  carried  their  point  with  the 
loss  of  a  fourth  of  their  nuufbers,  kilhnl  and  wounded. 
An  alfiiir  of  this  nature  necessarily  alforded  a  great 
variety  of  gallant  actions  in  individuals.     Capt.  M'Rae 
reported  to  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe,  that  his  subaltern,  Lt. 
Charles  Dunlop,  wiio  had  served  in  the  Queen's  Run- 
19 


234 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  OPERATIONS 


I*  I 


h '  * 


K-- 


''*  ^  ■   :% 


,!•."■ 


■■',1 


gers  from  thirteen  years  of  age,  led  on  his  division 
on  horseback,  without  suffering  a  man  to  fire,  watch- 
ing the  enemy,  and  giving  a  signal  to  his  men  to  lay 
down  whenever  a  party  of  their's  was  about  to  fire : 
he  arrived  at  the  fence  where  the  enemy  had  been 
posted  with  his  arms  loaded,  a  conduct  that  might 
have  been  decisive  of  the  action :  fortunately  he  es- 
caped unhurt.     The  whole  of  the  loss  of  the  Queen's 
Rangers  amounted  to  ten  killed,  and  twenty-three 
wounded  ;  among  the  latter  was  Lt.  Swift  Armstrong, 
and  Ensign  Jarvis,  acting  with  the  grenadiers  :  the 
Yagers  had  two  or  three  men  wounded  and  one  killed. 
It  may  be  supposed,  in  the  course  of  so  long  a  service, 
there  was  scarcely  a  man  of  them,  whose  death  did 
not  call  forth  a  variety  of  situations,  in  which  his 
courage  had  been  distinguished,  or  his  value  exempli- 
fied ;  and  it  seemed  to  every  one,  as  if  the  flower  of 
the  regiment  had  been  cut  off.     As  the  whole  series 
of  the  service  of  fight  trooj)s  gives  the  greatest  lati- 
tude for  the  exertion  of  individual  talents,  and  of  indi- 
vidual courage,  so  did  the  present  situation  require 
the  most  perfect  combination  v>i  them  :  every  division, 
every  officer,  every  soldier  had  his  share  in  the  merit 
of  the  action  :  mistake  in  the  one  might  have  brought 
on  cowardice  in  the  otiier,  and  a  single  panick  struck- 
en  soldier  would  probably  \va\v.  inf<>eted  a  platoon, 
and  led  to  the  utmost  confision  and  ruin;  so  that  Ll. 
Col.  Sinjcoe  has  ever  considered  this  action  as  the 
climax  of  a  campaign  of  five  years,  as  the  result  of 
true  discipline  accjuircd  in  that  space  by  unremitted 


-^; 


dilig( 
earne 
Til 
colle( 
Ewal( 
tion  c 
them 
dient 
Spenc 
detacl; 
geon's 
off  to 
party  g 
comniii 
had  cui 
it  such 
less  tha 
wallis, 
witli  (h 
to  Jiis 
atioii  ol 
officers' 
least,  t' 
times  t 
was  at 
twenty.( 
Sirncoe 
Diesciin^ 
oners,  ai 
a  march 
previous 


i> 


N    t!r;,;r- 


OF  THE  queen's  RANGERS. 


235 


division 
e,  watch- 
en  to  lay 
t  to  fire : 
had  been 
lat  might 
ely  he  es- 
e  Queen's 
3nty-three 
rmstrong, 
[liers  :  the 
one  killed, 
r  a  service, 
death  did 
which  his 
le  exempli- 
c  flower  of 
liole  series 
catest  lati- 
ind  of  indi- 
oii  require 
ry  division, 
,1  the  merit 
\.>  hrou*iht 
Ick  ftruek- 
a  platoon, 
so  that  lit. 
ion  as  the 
|\o  result  of 
unremitletl 


diligence,  toil,  and  danger,  as  an  honourable  victory 
earned  by  veteran  intrepidity. 

The  instant  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  could  draw  off  and 
collect  his  force,  and  had  communicated  with  Capt. 
Ewald,  it  was  thought  proper  to  retreat ;  the  informa- 
tion obtained  from  two  and  thirty  prisoners,  many  of 
them  officers  and  of  different  corps,  making  it  expe- 
dient so  to  do  :  the  wounded  men  were  collected  into 
Spencer's  ordinary,  there  being  no  waggons  with  the 
detachment,  and  they  were  left  there  with  the  sur- 
geon's mate,  and  a  flag  of  truce.  The  infantry  filed 
off  to  the  right,  and  the  cavalry  closed  the  rear :  the 
party  soon  arrived  at  a  brook,  on  the  o{)posite  and 
commanding  side  of  which  Lt.  Allen,  with  the  pioneers, 
had  cut  down  some  trees,  and  was  proceeding  to  give 
it  such  defences  as  it  was  capable  of  receiving.  In 
less  than  two  miles,  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  met  Earl  Corn- 
wallis,  and  the  advance  of  his  army,  and  returned 
willi  them  towards  Spencer's  ordinary :  he  reported 
to  his  Lordship  what  he  had  learned  from  an  examin- 
ation of  the  rebel  prisoners,  and  by  his  own  and  his 
officers'  observations ;  that  the  enemy  were,  at  the 
l(^'ist,  twelve  hundred  strong  in  action,  above  three 
times  the  number-;  of  his  eorjts  ;  that  Fayette's  army 
was  at  no  great  distance ;  that  they  had  marched 
twenty-eight  nules,  and  had  no  provisions  :  Lt.  Col. 
Simcoe  addvd,  that  he  had  eflectually  destroyed  the 
Diescung  bridge.  I.iul  Cornwallis  examined  the  |>ris- 
oners,  and  observed  to  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe,  that  it  was 
ii  march  of  great  hazard  in  I'^ayette,  as  on  tiie  least 
previous  intimation  h{>  imist  have  been  cut  ofl*.     On 


236 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  OPERATIONS 


'i .  '•; 


4^-.'- 


i 


I'  • 


the  approach  to  Spencer's,  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  galloped 
forward,  and  was  very  happy  to  find,  that  his  wound- 
ed men  were  not  prisoners,  none  of  the  enemy  hav- 
ing approached  them  ;  and  he  found  a  foraging  party 
of  Earl  Cornwallis'  army,  with  the  waggons  on  which 
the  wounded  and  the  dead  were  placed.  So  little 
idea  was  there  entertained  of  Fayette's  move,  that 
this  foraging  party  had  proceeded  some  miles  on  the 
Williamsburg  road,  and  would  have  been  certainly 
taken,  had  it  not  been  for  the  action  at  Spencer's.  It 
was  reported,  and  not  without  probability,  that  a  pa- 
trole  of  the  enemy  met  with  this  party  on  the  road, 
where  it  was  natural  to  expect  Lord  Cornwallis'  army, 
and  took  it  for  his  advance  guard,  and  that  this  belief 
prevented  them  from  renewing  the  attack.  Lt.  Col. 
Tarleton  soon  after  arrived  at  Spencer's :  he  had 
advanced  up  the  Williamsburg  road,  and  in  the  wood 
in  front  of  Spencer's,  met  with  a  great  number  of 
arms,  thrown  away,  and  other  synn)toms  of  the  con- 
fusion in  which  the  enemy  had  fled  :  tiie  army  return- 
ed to  Williamsburg,  and  the  Queen's  Rangers  were 
hutted  on  the  right  at  Queen's  creek.  At  the  com- 
mencement of  the  actioii,  the  bat-men  and  their 
horses,  feeding  at  Lee's  farm,  were  taken  ;  they  were 
all  rescued,  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe's  groom  excepted,  the 
only  prisoner  the  enemy  cjirried  off.  It  was  general- 
ly It  ported,  that  the  person  who  had  been  sent  to 
Fayette's  cump,  from  Cooper's  mills,  conducted  Glen. 
Wayne  thither,  about  four  o'clock  in  the  morning, 
who,  wilii  a  large  force,  charge*!  with  fixed  bayonet 
the  fires  which  the  Queen's  Rangers  had  but  just  quit- 


'  ■      -■■■    '■    •>!    V 

1  'i'-'   ■'5*1 


galloped 
s  wound- 
miy  hav- 
ing party 
on  which 
So  httle 
ove,  that 
es  on  the 
certainly 
nccr's.   It 
that  a  pa- 
thc  road, 
illis'  army, 
this  belief 
Lt.  Col. 
s :  he  had 
1  the  wood 
number  of 
if  the  con- 
•my  return- 
ligers  were 
[t  the  com- 
and  their 
they  were 
x'pted,  the 
Uis  gcncral- 
pen  sent  to 
[acted  Gen. 
morning, 
[l  bayonc* 
it  just  (luit- 


•J.i- 


'    f: 


o 


C,       -^  ■ 


ki^'-^' 


"••  .■;v;^o-"  -:■-  '^^  ^-^^.^  &.^  ■:; .  ^^^tfv^^:.y 


3  ■' 


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"■  '.11  i" fz-i  -•  ^'.^*/./  ■ '■" 

-  *  i  V'^>••^■>^'i'^•- 


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t 


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...../■■•■•»r.-i''<V'. 


y-n^ 


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^>. 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


1.0 


I.I 


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Photographic 

Sciences 

Corporalion 


33  WtST  MAIN  STMIT 

VMUTN.N.Y.  14SM 

(71*)I73-4S0I 


4p> 


C^ 


y 


OF  THE  queen's  RANGERS. 


337 


ted.     M.  Fayette,  in  his  public  letters,  stated  the  loss 
of  the  British  at  one  hundred  and  fifty  killed  and 
wounded,  and  attributed  it  to  the  skill  of  his  rifle- 
men :  his  own  he  diminished,  recapitulating  that  only 
of  the  continental  troops,  and  taking  no  notice  of  the 
militia :  it  is  certain  they  had  a  great  many  killed  and 
wounded,  exclusive  of  the  prisoners.    The  riflemen, 
however  dexterous  in  the  use  of  their  arms,  were  by 
no  means  the  most  formidable  of  the  rebel  troops ; 
their  not  being  armed  with  bayonets,  permitted  their 
opponents  to  take  liberties  with  them  which  otherwise 
would  have  been  highly  improper.    Cornet  Jones  was 
buried  at  Williamsburg  the  next  day,  with  military 
honours.    It  was  given  out  in  the  public  orders,  at 
Williamsburg,  on  the  28th  of  June,  that "  Lord  Corn- 
"  walhs  desires  Lieut.  Col.  Simcoe  will  accept  of  his 
"  warmest  acknowledgments  for  his  spirited  and  judi- 
"  cious  conduct  in  the  action  of  the  2Gth  instant,  when 
"  he  repulsed  and  defeated  so  superior  a  force  of  the 
"  enemy.    He  likewise  desires  that  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe 
"  will  communicate  his  thanks  to  the  officers  and  sol- 
"  diers  of  the  Queen's  Rangers,  and  to  Captain  Ewald 
"  and  the  detachment  of  Yagers." 

Earl  Cornwallis  visiting  York  Town  on  the  28th  of 
June,  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe,  with  the  cavalry,  escorted  him 
thither ;  his  Lordship  disapproving  of  it  as  a  post, 
Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  obscrv<!d  to  him,  that  if  anv  of  the 
points  below  it,  and  one  was  then  in  their  view,  would 
l3e  more  favourable  for  such  a  garrison  as  his  Lord- 
ship intended,  that  it  would  be  easy  to  remove  York 
Town  to  it :  his  Lordship  assented,  and  personally 
19* 


V 


'M 


4; 


238 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  OPERATIONS 


1 


11 


made  the  necessary  enquiry ;  but  the  water  was  not 
sufficiently  deep  to  harbour  ships  of  war.    The  ene- 
my fired  a  random  sliot  or  two,  fi'om  Gloucester,  at 
the  escort  when  it  marched  into  York  Town,  and 
were  prepared  to  repeat  it  on  its  return  ;  but  this  was 
avoided  by  keeping  on  the  heights,  and  Earl  Cornwal- 
lis  returned  in  the  evening.    The  Queen's  Rangers 
made  two  patroles  during  the  continuance  of  the  army 
at  Williamsburg :  the  first  was  with  the  design  of  as- 
certaining the  enemy's  post :  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  left  the 
infantry  in  ambuscade,  about  five  miles  from  Wil- 
liamsburg, and  proceeding  seven  or  eight  miles  further, 
drove  in  the  enemy's  advance  guard.     The  second 
patrole  was  made  to  the  same  spot,  and  for  the  same 
purpose,  Earl  CornwalJis  understanding  the  enemy 
had  left  it.    The  peninsula  was  intersected  with  roads, 
full  of  small  woods,  am',  the  enemy  were  in  force.  Lt. 
Col.  Simcoe  expected  to  be  ambuscaded  ;  so  that  he 
marched  only  with  his  cavalry,  and  through  bye-paths 
and  the  woods.     In  approaching  the  post,  he  left  the 
party  with  orders  for  them  to  retreat  whensoever  the 
bugle-horns  sounded  the  advance^  and  proceeded  him- 
self with  a  small  escort,  some  oflicers  and  the  bugle- 
horns  ;  being  mounted  on  a  tall  horse,  a  matter  of 
great  utility  in  all  rcconnoitering  parties,  he  saw  the 
heads  of  some  people  in   ambuscade,  before   they 
could  stoop  from  notice  on  his  approach,  and  another 
party  was  plainly  discovered  on  their  march  to  get 
behind  him  on  the  Williamsburg  road  :  the  horns 
sounded,  the  alarm  was  given,  and  the  party  retreat- 


'f.^'^. 


m 


OF  THE  queen's  RANGERS. 


239 


•  was  not 
The  ene- 
icester,  at 
Cown,  and 
ut  this  was 
I  Cornwal- 
l's Rangers 
)f  the  army 
jsign  of  as- 
icoe  left  the 
from  Wil- 
liles  further, 
The  second 
or  the  same 
the  enemy 
i  with  roads, 
in  force.  Lt. 
;  so  that  he 
gh  bye-paths 
I,  he  left  the 
ensoever  the 
oceeded  him- 
id  the  bugle- 
a  matter  of 
,  he  saw  the 
before   they 
,  and  another 
narch  to  get 
the  horns 
jarty  retreat- 


ed by  the  ways  they  came,  unmolested,  to  Williams- 
burg. 

On  the  4th  of  July  the  army  marched  to  James- 
town, for  the  purpose  of  crossing  the  river  at  that 
place,  and  proceeding  to  Portsmouth :  the  Queen's 
Rangers  crossed  the  river  that  evening,  and  took  post 
to  cover  the  baggage,  which  was  passing  over  as  ex- 
peditiously as  possible.  On  the  evening  of  the  6th, 
as  Earl  Cornwallis  had  predicted,  M.  de  la  Fayette 
attacked  his  army,  mistaking  it  for  the  rear  guard 
only :  the  affair  was  almost  confined  to  the  80th  and 
76th  regiments,  under  the  command  of  Lt.  Col.  Dun- 
das,  whose  good  conduct  and  gallantry  was  conspicu- 
ously displayed  on  that  occasion.  M.  de  la  Fayette 
was  convinced  of  his  error,  by  being  instantly  re- 
pulsed, and  losing  what  cannon  he  had  brought  with 
him.  The  army  having  been  passed  over,  marched 
on  the  9th  towards  Portsmouth.  On  its  halting  at 
Suffolk,  the  Queen's  Rangers  being  ordered  for  em- 
barkation, proceeded  to  the  vicinity  of  Portsmouth 
on  the  14th,  and  embarked  on  the  20th :  the  em- 
barkation of  v/hich,  the  Queen's  Rangers  made  a 
part,  was  supposed  to  be  intended  to  co-operate  in 
an  attack  on  Philadelphia.  It  was  countermanded, 
and  the  troops,  sailing  up  the  river,  landed  at  York 
Town  on  the  2d  of  August :  the  Rangers  being,  of 
the  first  disembarkation,  under  Lt.  Col.  Abercrombie. 
Several  patroles  were  made  from  York  Town  to 
Williamsburg,  by  the  cavalry  of  the  Queen's  Rang- 
ers, latterly  under  the  command  of  Capt.  Shank,  the 
health  of  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  being  much  impaired.  This 


''*-jt*' 


240 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  OPERATIONS 


m 


1 


I    1 


journal,  hastening  to  a  conclusion,  it  is  proper  that  it 
may  be  completed,  to  take  notice  of  Capt.  Saunders, 
and  the  officers,  and  chosen  men,  whom  he  had  taken 
with  him,  in  order  to  complete  his  troop,  on  General 
Leslie's  expedition  ;  and  this  cannot  be  better  accom- 
plished than  by  extracts  from  a  letter  which  that  offi- 
cer wrote  to  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe. 

"  Agreeable  to  your  desire,  I  now  detail  some  an- 
ecdotes of  the  detachment  which  was  sent  under  my 
command  with  Gen.  LesHe  :  on  the  evening  of  the 
arrival  of  the  fleet  in  Lynnhaven  bay,  I  was  ordered 
by  Gen.  Leslie  to  land  with  a  detachment,  consisting 
of  a  subaltern's  command  of  the  guards,  and  the  offi- 
cers and  twelve  men  of  my  troop,  and  to  march 
through  Princess  Ann,  for  the  purpose  of  taking  some 
of  the  most  violent  leaders  of  the  rebels,  in  that  coun- 
ty ;  but  the  great  swell  of  the  sea  obliging  me  to  land 
in  a  different  place  from  which  I  had  intended,  I  was, 
in  consequence,  constrained  to  cross  the  Lynnhaven 
inlet,  which  was  unfordable.  Knowing  that  there 
was  a  canoe  about  half  a  mile  on  the  other  side,  I 
asked  if  any  one  would  volunteer  the  service  of 
fetching  it ;  Serjeant  Burt  instantly  offered  himself, 
and,  with  his  sword  in  his  mouth,  plunged  into  the 
water,  swam  over  and  brought  the  canoe,  in  which  we 
crossed,  and  this  he  did  although,  on  our  arrival  at 
the  inlet,  we  had  observed  a  man  on  horseback,  who 
appeared  from  the  precipitancy  with  which  he  had 
rode  off',  to  have  been  placed  there  as  a  vidette.  A 
few  days  after  this,  I  was  sent  with  a  detachment, 
under  the  orders  of   Col.   Schutz,  to  Suffolk,  by 


f 


OF  THE  queen's  RANGERS. 


241 


per  that  it 
Saunders, 
;  had  taken 
3n  General 
ter  accom- 
;h  that  offi- 

Al  some  an- 
it  under  my 
ning  of  the 
was  ordered 
t,  consisting 
and  the  offi- 
d  to  march 
taking  some 
in  that  coun- 
[ig  me  to  land 
ended,  I  was, 
B  Lynnhaven 
[T  that  there 
other  side,  I 
service   of 
ered  himself, 
nged  into  the 
;,  in  which  we 
)ur  arrival  at 
.rseback,  who 
vhich  he  had 
a  vidctte.     A 
detachment, 

Suffolk,  by 


Sleepy-hole  ferry :  we  crossed  the  ferry  at  night,  and 
by  preceding  (under  cover  of  the  darkness)  with  my 
troop,  the  rest  of  the  detachment,  I  collected  a  suffi- 
cient number  of  horses  to  mount  both  men  and  offi- 
cers. From  Suffolk  we  returned  to  Portsmouth, 
when  I  requested  General  Leslie  to  permit  me  to  oc- 
cupy the  post  at  Kemp's  landing,  with  the  two  officers 
and  the  non-commissioned  officers,  and  twelve  private 
dragoons  of  my  troop,  which  he  granted,  after  I  had 
explained  to  him  my  intimate  knowledge  of  the  peo- 
ple, and  of  the  country.  With  this  force  I  remained 
there  until  the  General  was  obliged  to  embark  for 
South  Carolina.  On  our  arrival  at  Charles  Town, 
Colonel  Balfour  ordered  my  officers  and  men  up  to 
George  Town  ;  and,  as  he  told  me  that  he  had  not 
authority  to  permit  the  return  of  myself  and  party  to 
the  regiment,  I  found  it  necessary  to  go  to  Wynnes- 
burg  (180  miles)  where  Lord  Cornwallis  was  encamp- 
ed, to  solicit  his  leave.  He  granted  it ;  I  returned  to 
Charles  Town,  and  had  the  men  in  the  boat,  to  em- 
bark in  the  Ronmlus,  when  the  arrival  of  the  express 
with  Tarlcton's  disaster  at  the  Cowpens,  induced  Col. 
Balfour  to  countermand  the  embarkation,  and  to  de- 
tain us  till  the  impression  made  by  this  unfortunate 
event  should  be  done  away.  He  ordered  me  and  my 
troop  to  George  Town,  promising  not  only  to  explain 
to  you  the  necessity  of  my  detention,  but  also  that  it 
should  not  be  long :  I  went  there,  and  soon  after  ob- 
tained the  command  of  that  post.  But  before  I  men- 
tion what  happened  under  my  orders,  I  shall  premise 
the  behaviour  of  the  troop,  prior  to  this,  when  Lieut. 


I..-.-' 


I?/ 

iv     ■ 


242 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  OPERATIONS 


II  '-i '  '.•■,iii 

■  m 


I    !»  "'■'fSftl.. 


•it. 

■Hi 

mi' 


M 


* 


Wilson  had  the  command  of  it.  On  the  25th  De- 
cember, 1780,  being  the  day  after  Lieut.  Wilson's 
arrival  at  George  Town,  he  and  his  party  made  a  pa- 
trole,  under  the  command  of  Col.  Campbell  of  Fan- 
ning's  corps,  when  they  fell  in  with  a  party  of  above 
fifty  mounted  rebels,  which  they  were  ordered  to 
charge.  They  immediately  did  it,  and  with  effect, 
defeating  them  and  taking  one  of  their  officers  pri- 
soner :  the  others  owed  their  esccape  to  the  speed  of 
their  horses,  and  the  thickness  of  the  wood.  Lieut. 
Wilson  was  wounded ;  he  received  the  thanks  of  Col. 
Campbell  for  his  conduct  in  the  following  words  :  '  It 

*  is  with  pleasure  that  the  Commanding  Officer  ob- 

*  serves   the   spirit   and  gallantry  of  the  troops  in 

*  general,  but  is  infinitely  obliged  to  Capt.  Blucke  and 

*  Lieut.  Wilson,  for  their  distinguished  gallantry  and 

*  behaviour  this  day.  Laments  much  the  wound  re- 
'  ceived  by  the  latter,  as  it  may  for  a  few  days  deprive 

*  him  of  the  services  of  a  good  officer.'  On  the  6th 
January  following,  Lt.  Col.  Campbell  having  marched 
some  distance  into  the  country,  saw  about  a  dozen 
mounted  men  in  the  road :  he  ordered  Lieut.  Wilson 
with  his  party  to  charge  them.  They  instantly  went 
to  the  right  about,  and  retreated  with  precipitation 
within  a  corps  which  had  dismounted  and  taken  a 
strong  and  advantageous  post  in  a  swampy  thick 
wood  on  each  side  of  the  road.  Lt.  Wilson  and  his 
party  received  a  heavy  and  unexpected  fire  from  this 
ambuscade,  but  impelled  by  their  wonted  spirit  and 
intrepidity,  and  unaccustomed  to  defeat,  they  continu- 
ed the  charge  and  obliged  the  rebels  to  betake  them- 


OF  THE  queen's  RANGERS. 


243 


25th  De- 
Wilson's 
nade  a  pa- 
,11  of  Fan- 
r  of  above 
ordered  to 
vith  effect, 
(fficers  pri- 
le  speed  of 
od.    Lieut, 
inks  of  Col. 
words :  '  It 
Officer  ob- 
e  troops  in 
.  Blucke  and 
;aUantry  and 
P  wound  re- 
lays deprive 
On  the  6th 
ring  marched 
out  a  dozen 
.ieut.  Wilson 
stantly  went 
precipitation 
and  taken  a 
ampy  thick 
son  and  his 
ire  from  this 
ed  spirit  and 
they  continu- 
betake  them- 


selves to  their  horses,  and  to  flight.  Serjeants  Burt 
and  Hudgins,  having  charged  through  them,  were  car- 
ried off"  by  them ;  Corporal  Hudgins  was  killed, 
covered  with  wounds ;  two  or  three  of  the  men  were 
wounded,  and  three  horses  killed. 

"  Among  a  variety  of  other  parties  sent  into  the 
country  by  me,  in  order  to  prevent,  as  much  as  pos- 
sible, depredation  and  violence  by  small  bodies  of  reb- 
els, who  occasionally  infested  the  vicinity  of  George 
Town,  Lt.  Wilson  was  ordered,  about  the  middle  of 
February,  1781,  to  go  about  forty  miles  up  the  Wac- 
cama  river,  with  a  detachment  of  between  thirty  and 
forty  men,  in  order  to  take  Capt.  Clarke,  a  very  ac- 
tive officer,  prisoner,  who  was  said  to  have  a  small 
party  with  him,  for  the  purpose  of  protecting  himself 
and  oppressing  the  inhabitants  on  Waccama  neck ; 
he  was  ordered  also,  to  mount  his  party,  if  possible, 
and  to  return  by  land.  He  sat  out  in  the  evening 
with  the  first  of  the  tide,  and  would  have  reached 
Clarke's  house  before  day  had  it  not  been  for  a  heavy 
fall  of  rain  up  the  country,  which  checked  the  tide 
with  such  force,  that,  notwithstanding  every  effort, 
he  found  at  day-light  thjit  he  had  if  :>roceeded  above 
half  way,  he  therefore  landed,  sent  back  the  boats, 
and  lay  concealed  in  a  house  till  evening,  keeping 
every  passenger  prisoner :  he  then  marched  to  Clarke's 
house,  which  he  reached  before  day-light,  took  him 
prisoner,  but  found  none  of  his  party  then  with  him ; 
took  horses  sufficient  to  mount  his  party,  and  return- 
ed, without  loss,  to  George  Town.  In  the  latter  end 
of  February,  Cornet  Merrit  was  ordered,  with  a  party 


244 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  OPERATIONS 


of  a  Serjeant  and  ten  dragoons,  to  cover  some  negroes 
who  were  sent  to  the  neighbouring  plantations  to 
search  for  and  bring  in  some  cattle  that  had  escaped 
from  us :  he,  from  his  great  zeal  and  anxiety  to  ac- 
complish this  service,  was  led  rather  farther  than  was 
intended,  when  he  unexpectedly  fell  in  with  a  corps 
of  the  rebels,  much  superior  to  his  both  in  the  num- 
ber and  the  goodness  of  their  horses.  He  retreated,  in 
good  order,  for  some  distance,  but,  finding  himself 
much  harrassed  from  the  fire  of  their  advance,  and 
seeing  that  it  would  be  impracticable  to  get  off  without 
giving  them  a  check,  he  determined  on  charging  them, 
which  he  did  several  times,  and  with  such  vigour  that 
he  always  repulsed  them.  He  thus  alternately  charged 
and  retreated,  till  having  had  two  horses  killed  under 
him,  he  was  so  stunned  by  the  fall  of  the  last,  that  he 
was  left  for  dead.  The  rebels  were  so  awed  by  their 
repeated  repulses,  that  they  suflfered  his  party  to  es- 
cape into  the  woods,  when,  by  dismounting  and  con- 
cealing themselves  in  the  thick  savannahs,  most  of 
them  got  safe  into  the  post :  the  Serjeant  was  killed, 
and  four  men  were  wounded;  several  horses 
killed.  Merrit,  being  supposed  to  be  dead,  was  for- 
tunate enough,  after  having  recovered  his  senses,  to 
get  to  the  fort  with  the  loss  of  his  boots,  helmet,  and 
arms.  Cornet  Merrit  having  been  sent,  about  the 
beginning  of  March,  with  a  flag,  to  carry  a  letter  to 
Gen.  Marion,  by  order  of  Col.  Balfour,  was  detained 
a  prisoner  to  retaliate  for  the  detention  of  one  Capt. 
Postell,  who,  after  the  surrender  of  Charles  Town, 
had  taken  a  protection  and  the  oaths  to  us  ;  and  had. 


OF  THE  queen's  RANGERS. 


245 


le  negroes 
itations  to 
id  escaped 
iety  to  ac- 
3r  than  was 
ith  a  corps 
Q  the  num- 
etreated,  in 
ing  himself 
Ivance,  and 
t  off  without 
irging  them, 
1  vigour  that 
tely  charged 
killed  under 
I  last,  that  he 
iwed  by  their 
1  party  to  es- 
ing  and  con- 
ihs,  most  of 
t  was  killed, 
reral    horses 
Bad,  was  for- 
lis  senses,  to 
3,  helmet,  and 
It,  about  the 
ry  a  letter  to 
was  detained 
of  one  Capt. 
harles  Town, 
us ;  and  had, 


notwithstanding  again  taken  up  arms,  and  had  the  im- 
pudence to  come  to  George  Town,  with  a  flag  of  truce, 
where  I  detained  him.  They  crammed  Merrit,  with 
about  twenty  others,  Serjeants  and  privates  of  diflfer- 
ent  British  regiments,  in  a  small,  nasty,  dark  place, 
made  of  logs,  called  a  bull-pen ;  but  he  was  not  long 
here  before  he  determined  to  extricate  himself  and  his 
fellow  prisoners,  which  he  thus  effected  :  after  having 
communicated  his  intention  to  them,  and  found  them 
ready  to  support  him,  he  pitched  upon  the  strongest 
and  most  daring  soldier,  and  having  waited  some  days 
for  a  favourable  opportunity,  he  observed  that  his 
guards  (militia)  were  much  alarmed,  which  he  found 
was  occasioned  by  a  party  of  British  having  come  into 
that  neighbourhood.  He  then  ordered  this  soldier  to 
seize  the  sentry,  who  was  posted  at  a  small  square 
hole  cut  through  the  logs,  and  which  singly  served  the 
double  purposes  of  door  and  window,  which  he  in- 
stantly executed,  drawing  the  astonished  sentry  to 
this  hole  with  one  hand,  and  threatning  to  cut  his 
throat  with  a  large  knife  which  he  held  in  the  other, 
if  he  made  the  smallest  resistance,  or  out-cry ;  then 
Cornet  Merrit,  and  the  whole  party,  crawled  out  the 
one  after  the  other,  undiscovered  by  the  guard,  though 
it  was  in  the  day  time,  until  the  whole  had  got  out. 
He  then  drew  them  up,  which  the  officer  of  the  guard 
observing,  got  his  men  under  arms,  as  fast  as  he  could, 
and  threatened  to  fire  on  them  if  they  attempted  to 
go  off":  Merrit  replied,  that  if  he  dared  to  fire  a  single 
shot  at  him,  that  he  would  cut  the  whole  of  his  guard 
to  pieces,  (having  concerted  with  his  men  in  such  a 
20 


%  •■■ 


246 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  OPERATIONS 


case,  to  rush  upon  the  enemy  and  tear  their  arms  out 
of  their  hands,)  which  so  intimidated  him,  that,  al- 
though Merrit's  party  was  armed  only  with  the  spoils 
of  the  sentry  and  with  clubs,  he  yet  permitted  them 
to  march  off,  unmolested,  to  a  river  at  some  distance, 
where  Cornet  Merrit  knew,  from  conversation  which 
he  had  had  with  the  sentries,  that  there  was  a  large 
rice-boat,  in  which  he  embarked  and  brought  his  party 
through  a  country  of  above  fifty  miles'safe  into  George 
Town.  To  you  the'undaunted  spirit  and  bravery  of  this 
young  man,  is  not  unknown :  they  obtained  for^him  in 
his  distress  your  friendship  and  protection.  Col.  Bal- 
four was  pleased  to  approve  his  conduct,  and  in  a  letter 
to  me,  dated  Charles  Town  2d  April  1781,  expresses 
it  then  "  I  rejoice  most  sincerely  that  your  Comet  has 
"  escaped,  his  conduct  and  resolution  does  him  great 
"  credit,  and  I  wish  I  had  it  in  my  power  to  show  him 
"  my  sense  of  it  by  more  substantial  marks  than  this 
"  testimony  ;  but  the  only  mode  I  have  is  by  offering 
"  him  a  Lieutenancy  of  a  provincial  troop :"  this 
Cornet  Merrit  declined.  Lt.  Wilson  was  sent,  on  the 
2d  of  April,  with  twenty  men,  attended  by  a  galley, 
to  cover  a  party  sent  to  load  some  flats  with  forage, 
at  a  plantation  on  Black  river  :  he  debarked  and  re- 
mained on  shore  several  hours  before  he  saw  a  single 
rebel ;  but  when  he  had  nearly  completed  his  business, 
he  was  attacked  by  above  sixty  of  them,  under  the 
command  of  a  Major  Benson :  he  repulsed  them  in 
two  attempts  that  they  they  made  to  get  within  the 
place  where  he  had  posted  himself;  he  then  charged 
and  drove  them  off.    A  rebel  Lieutenant  was  mortally 


OF  THE  QUEEN^S  RANGERS. 


247 


wounded,  several  others  slightly  :  Lt.  Wilson  and  five 
of  his  men  were  wounded.  Col.  Balfour  expressed 
his  approbation  of  Wilson's  conduct  in  this  affair. 

"  I  shall  conclude  this  detail  with  mentioning  one 
more  instance  of  the  gallant  behaviour  of  Merrit, 
which  it  would  be  injustice  to  omit :  being  obliged  in 
an  attack  I  made  on  the  rebel  partisan  Snipe  to  ap- 
proach the  house  in  which  he  had  his  party,  through 
a  narrow  lane,  terminated  within  half  musket  shot  of 
the  house  by  a  strong  gate,  which,  I  expected,  would 
detain  us  some  time  to  open ;  when  it  was  probable 
their  guard  would  fire  on  us  ;  and,  as  I  was  particu- 
larly anxious  to  prevent  any  kind  of  check  with  the 
troops  I  then  had  with  me,  I  picked  out  Merrit,  Cor- 
poral Franks,  and  four  men  of  my  troop  to  proceed 
and  make  an  opening  for  the  detachment,  which  he 
effected  with  such  readiness  and  spirit,  that  the  pas- 
sage was  cleared  by  the  time  that  the  detachment 
could  get  up,  although,  for  that  purpose,  he  had  been 
obliged  to  dismount  his  party  under  the  fire  from 
their  guard,  and  that  the  gate  and  fence,  on  each  side 
of  it,  had  been  secured  and  strengthened,  with  an 
unexpected  degree  of  care  and  attention.    Col.  Bal- 
four writing  to  me  in  the  month  of  April,  when  I  com- 
manded at  George  Town,  says  "  being  empowered  by 
"  Lord  Cornwallis  to  raise  a  troop  of  Provincial  light 
"dragoons,  I  have,  for  some  time,  wished  to  try 
"  your  Lt.  Wilson  as  Captain,  and  this  gentleman  as 
"Lieutenant,  (meaning  Cornet  Merrit,)   they  have 
"  been  both  recommended  as  good  and  active  offi- 
"  cers,  and,  if  you  agree  with  me  in  opinion  that  a 


k- 


:■  Yf 


\tr.'\- 


Irl-S 


m-im : 


248 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  OPERATIONS 


"  troop  could  be  raised  in  or  near  George  Town,  I 
"  should  have  no  hesitation  in  making  the  appoint- 
"  ment."  Thus  I  have  mentioned  to  you  a  few  of  the 
many  meritorious  services  performed  by  the  officers 
and  men  of  my  troop,  when  in  Virginia  and  South 
Carolina.  I  regret  much  at  my  not  having  kept  a 
journal  during  that  time,  as  it  would  now  enable  me 
to  do  more  ample  justice  to  those  whose  zeal,  bravery, 
and  good  conduct,  entitle  them  to  my  fullest  and  fair- 
est report." 

It  is  to  be  lamented  that  Capt.  Saunders  did  not 
keep  a  regular  journal,  as  it  would  have  related  a  se- 
ries of  gallant  and  active  services,  which  he  performed 
when  in  the  command  at  George  Town,  and  after- 
wards at  Dorchester,  and  which  strongly  characterize 
in  that  officer  the  same  boldness  and  prudence  with 
which  he  maintained  himself  with  his  small  party  in 
his  native  country,  where  his  decisive  character  had 
its  due  weight  and  superiority. 

On  the  1 2th  of  August  the  Rangers  passed  to  Glou- 
cester, to  cover  the  foraging  in  front  of  that  post, 
which  the  80ili  and  the  Hessian  regiment  of  Prince 
Hereditaire  garrisoned,  under  the  command  of  Lieut. 
Col.  Dundas.  The  climate,  the  sickly  state  and  con- 
dition of  the  corps,  as  more  fully  detailed  in  the  ap- 
pendix, and  what  was  reasonably  to  be  apprehended 
from  the  militia  of  the  enemy,  now  assembling  in  num- 
bers, rendered  this  a  service  of  great  fatigue  and  dan- 
ger :  the  troops  were  generally  employed  on  it  twelve 
hours  in  the  tweni^y  four.  The  infantry,  to  secure 
them  from  tlie  intense  heat,  were  ambuscaded  as  nmch 


'4: 


OF  THE  queen's  RANGERS. 


249 


3  Town,  I 
e  appoint- 
few  of  the 
he  officers 
and  South 
ing  kept  a 
enable  me 
al,  bravery, 
;st  and  fair- 

ers  did  not 
elated  a  se- 
B  performed 

and  after- 
;haractcrize 
jdence  with 
lall  party  in 

•acter  had 

led  to  Glou- 
|f  that  post, 
it  of  Prince 
ind  of  Lieut. 
,te  and  con- 
in  the  ap- 
.pprehended 
|ling  in  num- 
rue  and  dan- 
on  it  twelve 
,  to  secure 
led  as  much 


as  possible  in  the  woods,  and  the  cavalry  patroled  in 
their  front,  or  on  their  flanks.  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe,  on 
his  return  one  day  from  Abington  church,  was  inform- 
ed that  Weeks,  now  stiled  Major,  with  a  party  of  the 
enemy,  had  just  arrived  within  a  few  miles :  he  in- 
stantly pressed  on  with  the  cavalry  to  attack  him,  or- 
dering Capt.  Ewald  to  proceed  to  his  support  as  fast 
as  possible  with  the  Yagers  and  infantry.  On  his  ar- 
rival near  the  post,  he  had  the  good  fortune  to  push 
a  patrole,  which  came  from  it,  so  rapidly  as  to  follow 
it  into  the  house  where  Weeks  lay,  who,  Avith  his 
men,  escaped  in  great  confusion  into  the  woods,  leav- 
ing their  dinner  behind  them :  an  officer  and  some 
men  were  made  prisoners,  and  this  check,  together 
with  the  country  being  constantly  ambuscaded,  pre- 
vented the  foragers  from  receiving  the  least  interrup- 
tion. 

One  morning  as  the  foragers  were  at  some  distance 
from  Gloucester,  they  were  surprised  at  hearing  a 
considerable  firing  of  musketry,  between  them  and 
the  garrison  :  it  was  suspected  that  some  party  of  the 
enemy  might  have  stolen  through  the  woods ;  but  on 
a  detachment  falling  back  to  procure  certain  intelli- 
gence, it  appeared,  that  some  men  on  a  predatory 
party  had  landed  from  the  shipping,  and,  being  puu- 
ick-struck,  had  fired  at  a  wood  where  they  fancied 
they  saw  the  enemy.  Serjeant  Ritchie,  of  the  gren- 
adiers of  the  Rangers,  who  with  the  other  convales- 
cents had  been  lefl  in  the  camp  at  Gloucester,  on 
hearing  the  firing,  supposed  that  the  regiment  was 
engaged,  and  assembling  such  men  as  were  able  to 
*20 


I 
I.. 

■I: 


250 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  OPERATIONS 


mm:, 


move,  to  the  amount  of  thirty  or  more,  he  marched 
forward,  and  took  up  a  piece  of  ground  that  would 
have  been  highly  advantageous  in  case  of  real  action : 
so  spirited  were  the  soldiers,  so  able  were  the  non- 
commissioned officers  become,  by  perpetual  service 
and  experience ! 

On  the  31st  of  August,  the  advance  ships  of  the 
French  fleet  blocked  up  the  York  river.  The  caval- 
ry of  the  Queen's  Rangers  had  been  regularly  in- 
structed in  wheeling  and  forming  in  the  closest  order 
possible,  and  they  were  disciplined  in  every  thing  that 
might  enable  them  to  maintain  that  superiority  which 
they  had  hitherto  acquired  over  all  their  opponents. 
It  being  of  the  utmost  consequence  to  prevent  the 
enemy  gaining  any  information  from  deserters,  the 
out  sentries  were  constantly  composed  of  a  cavalry 
and  infantry  man.  Earl  Cornwallis,  in  a  conversa- 
tion with  Lieut.  Col.  Simcoe,  asked  him  whether  "  he 
"  thought  that  he  could  escape  with  the  cavalry ;"  he 
answered  his  Lordship,  **  Without  the  smallest  doubt.'' 

Gen.  Washington  invested  York  Town  on  the  23d 
of  September ;  when  the  blockade  of  Gloucester  was 
formed  by  one  thousand  one  hundred  French  troops, 
joined  with  the  rebel  militia,  under  the  command  of 
Mons.  de  Choisy  so  well  known  for  his  surprisal  of 
Cracow.  Captain  Shank,  with  thirty  huzzars,  re- 
treated before  them  as  they  advance'^;  and  close  to 
the  Duke  of  Lauzun's  legion.  The  French  ships 
that  blocked  the  mouth  of  York  river  were  driven 
from  their  station,  and  narrowly  escaped  being  de- 
stroyed by  fire-ships,  commanded  by  Capt.  Palmer  of 


OF  THE  queen's  RANGERS. 


251 


the  navy :  this  go.llant  officer  would  have  probably 
burnt  a  man  of  war  which  was  driven  ashore,  but  he 
was  prevented  by  the  misbehaviour  of  a  master  of  a 
privateer,  who,  as  might  be  expected  from  people  of 
his  vile  trade,  prematurely  set  on  fire  one  of  the  small 
vessels  which  he  had  volunteered  the  direction  of  and 
which  were  to  accompany  the  King's  ship,  at  such  a 
distance  as  could  neither  endanger  the  enemy,  or  him- 
self. The  out  piquet  which  the  Queen's  Rangers  oc- 
cupied was  on  a  high  bank  on  the  left,  close  to  the 
York  river,  which  in  front  was  almost  inaccessible 
from  a  cove  into  which  the  tide  flowed :  this  post  was 
maintained  at  night  ou  the  commencement  of  the 
blockade ;  but  it  was  soon  attempted  to  be  carried 
ofi'.  Captain  Shaw,  who  commanded,  overheard  the 
enemy  on  their  approach,  and  withdrawing  his  senti- 
nels and  party  to  a  bank  in  its  rear,  let  them  without 
molestation  possess  themselves  of  his  fires,  when, 
giving  them  an  unexpected  discharge,  they  fled  in 
great  confusion,  and  with  every  appearance  of  several 
of  tl>em  being  wounded,  leaving  fire-arms,  caps,  and 
accoutrements  behind  them.  Captain  Shaw  then  re- 
sumed his  poat,  which  was  constantly  occupied  in  the 
day,  and  frequently  at  night,  without  any  further  at- 
tempt being  made  upon  it.  The  health  of  Lieut.  Col. 
Simcoe  began  now  totally  to  fail  under  the  incessant 
fatigues,  both  of  body  and  mind,  which  for  years  he 
had  undergone.  Lt.  Col.  Tarleton  with  his  cavalry 
passed  over  from  York  to  Gloucester.  Lt.  Col.  Sim- 
coe observed,  in  conversation  with  Col.  Dundas,  that 
as  Capt.  Shank  had  faced  the  Duke  of  Lauzun  with 


..f*- 


252 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  OPERATIONS 


1 


the  cavalry  of  the  Rangers  the  preceding  day,  it  was 
probable  the  Duke  would  not  hesitate  to  attack  them, 
being  acquainted  with  the  inferiority  of  their  numbers, 
when,  if  Lt.  Col.  Tarleton's  corps,  of  whose  arrival 
he  must  be  ignorant,  should  be  placed  in  ambuscade, 
the  Duke's  legion  might  be  swept  off  and  totally  ruin- 
ed. Lt.  Col.  Tarleton  marched  out  with  the  cavalry 
the  next  morning.  Col.  Dundas  accompanying  him ; 
and  about  midday  firing  was  heard,  and  some  people 
gallopped  in  in  great  confusion :  one  of  the  forage- 
masters  saying  Col.  Tarleton  was  defeated,  Lt.  Col. 
Simcoe  sent  him  to  Earl  Cornwallis,  ordered  the 
troops  to  their  post,  and,  being  carried  from  his  bed 
to  his  horse,  went  himself  to  the  redoubt  occupied  by 
the  Rangers.  Capt.  Shank,  on  his  return,  reported 
to  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe,  that  being  on  the  left  when  the 
line  was  formed  he  had  received  no  orders ;  but  when 
the  right,  composed  of  the  legion,  advanced  to  charge, 
he  did  the  same,  in  close  order,  but  necessarily  not  in 
equal  front :  on  the  legion  giving  way,  the  Rangers 
followed,  quitting  the  field  the  last,  and  in  such  order 
as  prevented  a  rapid  pursuit,  and  returned  to  the 
charge  with  Lt.  Col.  Tarleton,  when  he,  having  again 
offered  the  enemy  combat,  which  they  declined,  re- 
mained master  of  the  field.  Lt.  Col.  Dundas  being 
ordered  to  York  Town,  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe,  on  whom 
the  command  of  Gloucester  devolved,  was  obliged 
from  total  want  of  health,  to  give  up  its  duties  to  Lt. 
Col.  Tarleton.  The  most  disagreeable  that  could  be- 
fall un  officer  now  drew  nigh:  the  works  at  York 
Town  were  rendered  untenable  by  the  superior  fire  of 


OF  THE  queen's  RANGERS. 


253 


lay,  it  was 
tack  them, 
r  numbers, 
3se  arrival 
.mbuscade, 
Dtally  ruin- 
the  cavalry 
[lying  him ; 
ame  people 
the  forage- 
jd,  Lt.  Col. 
ordered  the 
om  his  bed 
occupied  by 
rn,  reported 
.ft  when  the 
s ;  but  when 
jd  to  charge, 
ssarily  not  in 
Lhe  Rangers 
such  order 
irned  to  the 
|having  again 
jdeclined,  re- 
lundas  being 
|e,  on  whom 
was  obliged 
duties  to  Lt. 
it  could  be- 
liks  at  York 
ipcrior  fire  of 


the  French  artillery,  and  Earl  Cornwallis  determined 
to  attempt  to  escape  with  the  best  part  of  his  troops 
by  the  way  of  Gloucester :  a  principal  part  of  his 
force  was  sent  over  to  that  place,  and  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe 
was  informed  that  his  Lordship  meant  to  attack  Mons. 
de  Choisy  the  next  morning.  There  was  every  pro- 
bability of  surprising  that  officer,  as  he  in  some  mea- 
sure depended  upon  the  vigilance  of  the  militia  joined 
with  him ;  and  a  spy,  who  came  into  Gloucester  al- 
most to  the  very  day  of  its  surrender,  could  have 
conducted  the  Queen's  Rangers  by  the  secret  path 
which  he  made  use  of,  to  tlie  rear  of  the  enemy's 
post.  It  was  not  improbable  that  his  Lordship,  on 
viewing  the  advantageous  position  which  might  be 
occupied  in  front  of  Gloucester,  would  have  been  of 
opinion  that  the  post  might  at  the  least  have  been  de- 
fended for  ten  days,  if  the  provisions  would  last, 
against  any  force  the  enemy  could  combine  to  attack 
it  within  that  period.  A  violent  storm  arising,  pre- 
vented the  succeeding  division  of  the  garrison  of 
York  from  passing  over ;  that  which  had  arrived  re- 
turned early  in  the  morning,  and  the  firing  soon  after 
ceasing,  it  was  understood  that  Earl  Cornwallis  had 
proposed  a  cessation  of  hostilities,  for  the  purpose  of 
settling  the  terms  on  which  the  posts  of  York  and 
Gloucester  were  to  be  surrendered.  On  the  first  con- 
firmation of  this  supposition,  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  sent  Lt. 
Spencer  to  his  Lordsliip,  to  request  that  as  his  corps 
consisted  of  loyalists,  tiie  objects  of  the  enemy's  civil 
persecution,  and  deserters,  if  the  treaty  was  not  final- 
ly concluded,  that  he  would  permit  him  to  endeavour 


254 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  OPERATIONS 


to  escape  with  them  in  some  of  those  boats  which 
Gen.  Arnold  had  built ;  and  that  his  intention  was  to 
cross  the  Chesapeake  and  land  in  Maryland,  when, 
from  his  knowledge  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  country 
and  other  favourable  circumstances,  he  made  no  doubt 
of  being  able  to  save  the  greatest  part  of  the  corps 
and  carry  them  into  New-York.    His  Lordship  was 
pleased  to  express  himself  favourably  in  regard  to 
the  scheme,  but  said  he  could  not  permit  it  to  be  un- 
dertaken, for  that  the  whole  of  the  army  must  share 
one  fate.    The  capitulation  was  signed  on  the  19th  of 
October.    Earl  Cornwallis,  on  account  of  Lieut.  Col, 
Simcoe's  dangerous  state  of  health,  permitted  him  to 
sail  for  New-York  in  the  Bonetta,  which  by  an  arti- 
cle in  the  capitulation  was  to  be  left  at  his  disposal,  a 
sea-voy£ige  being  the  only  chance,  in  the  opinion  of 
the  physicians,  by  which  he  could  save  his  life.    On 
board  of  this  vessel  sailed  as  many  of  the  Rangers, 
and  of  other  corps,  deserters  from  the  enemy,  as  she 
could  possibly  hold ;  they  were  to  be  exchanged  as 
prisoners  of  war,  and  the  remainder  of  Earl  Corn- 
waUis's  army  were  marched  prisoners  into  the  coun- 
try.    Lt.  Col.  Simcoe,  on  his  arrival  at  New- York, 
was  permitted  by  Sir  Henry  Clinton  to  return  to 
England ;  and  his  Majesty,  on  the  19th  December, 
1781,  was  graciously  pleased  to  confer  upon  him  the 
rank  of  Lieutenant-Colonel  in  the  army,  the  duties 
and  title  of  which  he  had  enjoyed  from  the  year  1777, 
and  which  had  been  made  permanent  to  him  in  Amer- 
ica in  1779.    Capt.  Saunders  arriving  from  Charles 
Town,  took  the  command  of  that  part  of  the  corps 


OF  THE  queen's  RANGERS. 


255 


•«'■ 


►ats  which 

[on  was  to 

and,  when, 

he  country 

ie  no  douht 

f  the  corps 

)rdship  was 

I  regard  to 

it  to  be  un- 
must  share 

ft  the  19th  of 

f  Lieut.  Col. 

nitted  him  to 

h  by  an  arti- 

[lis  disposal,  a 

tie  opinion  of 
hisUfe.    On 

the  Rangers, 

jnemy,  as  she 
exchanged  as 
)f  Earl  Corn- 
nto  the  coun- 
it  New-York, 
to  return  to 
th  December, 
upon  him  the 
ny,  the  duties 
the  year  1777, 
>  him  in  Amer- 
from  Charles 
■t  of  the  corps 


which  had  come  to  New-York  in  the  Bonetta.  Many 
of  the  soldiers,  who  were  prisoners  in  the  country, 
were  seized  as  deserters  from  Mr.  Washington's  army, 
several  enlisted  in  it  to  facilitate  their  escape,  and, 
being  caught  in  the  attempt,  were  executed :  a  greater 
number  got  safe  to  New- York,  and,  had  the  war  con- 
tinued, there  was  Uttle  doubt  but  the  corps  would  have 
been  re-assembled  in  detail.  The  Rangers  were  so 
daring  and  active  in  their  attempts  to  escape,  that, 
latterly,  they  were  confined  in  gaol ;  Capt.  Whitlock, 
who  commanded  them  while  prisoners  in  the  country, 
was  one  of  the  Captains  who  drew  lots  with  Captain 
Asgil  to  suffer  for  Huddy's  death. 

Capt.  Saunders,  and  the  officers  who  were  with  him, 
had  to  experience  severe  mortifications :  Sir  Henry 
Clinton,  the  Commander  in  Chief,  who  knew  their 
services,  had  returned  to  England,  and  was  succeeded 
by  Sir  Guy  Carleton.  It  being  apparent  that  the 
American  war  was  to  be  abandoned,  they  had  no 
longer  the  certainty  of  recommending  themselves  by 
their  services  to  the  protection  of  the  p*^v,'  General, 
On  the  31st  of  March,  1783,  the  following  order  was 
transmitted  from  the  Adjutant-General's  Office,  to 
the  officer  who  commanded  the  regiment:  as  it  is 
presumed  to  be  a  singular  event  in  military  history,  it 
is  here  published,  verbatim,  and  with  no  other  com- 
ment than  that  which  accompanied  it  as  it  was  trans- 
mitted to  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe,  then  in  England  : 

"  Adjt.  Gen.  Office^  March  31,  1783. 

"  Sir — ^Lt.Col.Tliompson  having  received  orders  to 
complete  the  regiment  under  his  command  by  volun- 


.^'« 


256 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  OPERATIONS 


,       ■•-? 


teers  from  the  different  Piovincial  corps,  and  to  raise 
in  like  manner  four  additional  companies  of  light  in- 
fantry, for  a  particular  service ;  the  Commander  in 
Chief  desires  you  would  give  all  possible  assistance 
to  Lt.  Col.  Thompson  and  those  concerned  with  him 
in  the  execution  of  this  business,  by  encouraging  the 
men  belonging  to  the  corps  under  your  command  to 
engage  in  this  service,  and  his  Excellency  directs  me 
to  assure  you  that  neither  the  officers  nor  others  who 
may  remain  with  you  in  the  corps  shall  suffer  any 
loss  or  any  injury  to  their  pretensions  by  the  diminu- 
tion of  your  numbers  arising  from  the  volunteers  who 
may  join  the  corps  under  the  command  of  Lieut.  Col. 
Thompson.  It  is  to  be  understood,  that  though  the 
men  wanted  for  this  service  are  to  engage  as  soon  as 
possible,  yet  they  are  not  to  quit  the  regiments  to 
which  they  at  present  belong,  till  further  orders. 
(Signed)  Ol.  DELANCY,  &c." 


"  I  will  only  say  that  though  as  military  men  they 
could  not  publicly  reprobate  and  counteract  this  un- 
just, humiliating,  and  disgraceful  order,  yet  conscious 
of  their  superiority  both  in  rank,  in  life,  and  in  milita- 
ry service  to  the  person  whom  it  was  meant  to  ag- 
grandise, they  could  not  but  sensibly  feel  it.  I  am 
sorry  to  say  that  some  of  the  Rangers,  being  made 
drunk,  were  induced  to  volunteer  it.  The  arrival  of 
the  last  packet,  as  it  took  away  the  pretence  of  their 
being  for  '  some  particular  service,'  has  put  a  total 
stop  to  this  business.  The  warrant,  I  am  told,  speci- 
fied that  when  this  corps  was  completed  and  embark- 


OF  THE  queen's  RANGERS. 


257 


id  to  raise 
»f  light  irt- 
mander  in 
assistance 
i  with  him 
iraging  the 
>mmand  to 
directs  me 
others  who 

suffer  any 
the  diminu- 
unteerswho 
r  Lieut.  Col. 

though  the 
e  as  soon  as 
•egiments  to 
j  orders. 
CY,  &c." 

ry  men  they 
act  this  un- 
et  conscious 
ind  inmiUta- 
meant  to  ag- 
sel  it.    I  am 
being  made 
le  arrival  of 
>nce  of  their 
put  a  total 
told,speci- 
and  embark- 


ed, they  were  from  that  time  to  be  on  the  British 
establishment." 

The  officers  of  the  Queen's  Rangers  had  prided 
themselves,  and  justly,  in  preventing,  as  much  as  offi- 
cers by  precept,  example,  and  authority  could  do, 
plundering  and  marauding  :  being  cantoned  with  other 
corps  on  Long  Island,  the  depredations  which  were 
committed,  drew  upon  the  Queen's  Rangers  the  dis- 
pleasure of  Sir  Guy  Carleton,  and  the  denunciation 
of  his  precluding  the  officers  from  their  just  promo- 
tion. Capt.  Saunders,  who  then  commanded  them, 
conscious  that  they  were  innocent,  as  became  his 
character  and  station,  addressed  the  following  letter 
to  the  Commander  in  Chief: 

"  Sir, — I  take  the  liberty,  as  commanding  officer  of 
that  part  of  the  Queen's  Rangers  at  Huntingdon,  to  ad- 
dress your  Excellency  :  a  letter  received  from  Col.  de 
Wurmb,  containing  your  very  severe  reprehension  of 
their  conduct,  in  consequence  of  representations  made 
to  your  Excellency  of  their  frequent  depredations,  is 
the  cause.  Myself  and  officers,  conscious  of  the 
falsehood  and  malevolence  of  those  representations, 
feel  ourselves  highly  injured,  and  as  the  charge  mate- 
rially affiicts  the  honour  and  reputation  of  the  corps, 
we  hope  and  request  that  your  t^xcellency  will  be 
pleased  to  order  an  enquiry  into  this  matter,  so  that 
we  may  have  an  opportunity  of  meeting  our  accusers 
face  to  face,  and  of  removing  from  your  Excellency's 
breast  the  impression  that  has  been  made  so  disad- 
vantageous to  us." 
31 


I 


258 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  OPERATIONS 


Jt.tt  ' 


j^.. 


No  answer  was  returned  to  this  application,  and  a 
very  young  officer  who  had  not  seen  any  service,  was 
promoted  from  another  corps  to  a  troop  vacant  in  the 
Queen's  Rangers.  Soon  after  the  above-mentioned 
letter  was  written  it  was  proved  before  a  court  mar- 
tial, that  those  depredations,  which  had  drawn  down 
upon  the  Rangers  the  Commander  in  Chief's  indigna- 
tion, had  been  committed  by  men  of  the  legion  and 
for  which  they  suffered.  Every  thing  now  tended  to 
the  American  colonies  being  declared  independent  of 
Great  Britain,  and  the  officers  of  the  Queen's  Rang- 
ers seem  to  have  been  oppressed  with  every  circum- 
stance that  could  wound  the  hearts  of  men  who  were 
soldiers  on  the  best  principles,  except  the  conscious- 
ness of  not  having  deserved  it ;  but  this  cloud  was 
soon  to  pass  away.  General  Conway  was  Comman- 
der in  Chief  of  his  Majesty's  forces,  and  Sir  H.  Clin- 
ton had  arrived  in  England  ;  Sir  Charles  Grey  was 
appointed  to  succeed  Sir  Guy  Carleton,  Lieut.  Col. 
Simcoe,  whose  exchange  Government  had  procured 
from  Dr.  Franklin,  was  to  htave  accompanied  him  as 
secretary  to  his  commission,  a  post  that  he  hoped  to 
fill  to  the  approbation  of  that  General,  who  was  ready, 
had  it  been  necessary,  to  have  supported  those  claims 
of  the  Queen's  Rangers  for  British  rank  and  establish- 
ment, which  Sir  H.  Clinton  had  personally  recom- 
mended to  the  protection  of  General  Conway,  and 
this  he  had  done  in  the  strongest  manner,  not  only  as 
due  to  the  fidelity  and  actions  of  a  corps  which  he 
had  been  an  eye-witness  of,  but  "  in  justice  to  his 
"  country,"  as  he  was  pleased  to  express  himself,  "  that. 


OF  THE  queen's  RANGERS. 


259 


ion,  and  a 
3rvice,was 
cant  in  the 
mentioned 
court  mar- 
rawn  down 
■'s  indigna- 
legion  and 
V  tended  to 
jpendent  of 
3en's  Rang- 
ery  circum- 
n  who  were 
!  conscious- 
1  cloud  was 
IS  Comman- 
Sir  H.  Clin- 
s  Grey  was 
Lieut.  Col. 
id  procured 
nied  him  as 
he  hoped  to 
o  was  ready, 
those  claims 
nd  establish- 
naliy  recom- 
lonway,  and 
',  not  only  as 
ns  which  he 

i 

ustice  to  his 
imsclf,  "that. 


"  in  case  of  future  war,  it  might  not  be  deprived  of 
"  the  services  of  such  a  number  of  excellent  officers." 
These  representations  had  their  due  effect,  and  on 
the  25th  of  December,  1782,  his  Majesty  was  gra- 
ciously pleased  to  make  that  rank  universally  perma- 
nent which  they  had  hitherto  only  held  in  the  scene 
of  action,  America; — and  the  Queen's  Rangers, 
cavalry  and  infantry,  were  honourably  enrolled  in  the 
British  army.  The  corps  was  disbanded  at  the  en- 
suing peace,  and  many  of  the  officers,  and  most  of 
the  soldiers,  settled  on  the  lands  to  which  they  had  a 
claim  in  Nova  Scotia. 

Thus  conclude  the  principal  events  in  a  journal  of 
a  corps  of  light  troops,  whose  services  can  best  be 
estimated  by  observing,  that  for  years  in  the  field,  to 
use  the  language  of  a  former  age,  they  were  the  for- 
lorn of  the  armies  in  which  they  served,  and  that  even  in 
winter  quarters,  when  in  common  wars  troops  are  per- 
mitted to  seek  repose,  few  hours  can  be  selected  in 
which  the  Queen's  Rangers  had  not  to  guard  against 
the  attacks  of  a  skilful  and  enterprising  enemy. 


END  OF  THE  JOURNAL. 


L>.t 


'■^k 


tf'   :.■■ 


;.'£'  it     -A 


APPENDIX. 


JJf  ATFENDIZ  IS    ADDED  OF  SUCH  LETTERS,  PAPERS,  AND   OBSERVATIONS,  AS  ARE  NE- 
CESSARY TO  ILLUSTRATE  THIS  JOURNAL. 


Page  60.  When  Sir  William  Howe  quitted  the  command  of 
the  army,  Major  Simcoe  laid  the  following  memorial  before 
him,  which  he  promised  to  support  on  his  return  to  England. 

To  his  Excellency  General  Sir  William  Howe,  Commander 
in  Chief,  &c.  &c. 

The  Memorial  of  the  Major  Commandant,  Captains,  and 
Subalterns,  of  His  Majesty's  Provincial  Corps  of  Queen's 
Rangers. 

"Your  Memorialists,  with  all  submission  and  respect,  beg 
leave  to  entreat  your  Excellency  will  lay  them  at  his  Maj- 
esty's feet,  humbly  soliciting  that  he,  in  his  gracious  favour, 
will  be  pleased  to  establish  them  in  the  rank  of  the  army, 
as  has  been  given  to  the  regiments  now  raising  in  Great 
Britain. 

"  The  generality  of  the  officers,  who  now  request  your 
Excellency's  countenance,  at  the  breaking  out  of  the  pres- 
ent rebellion,  left  their  estates  and  settlements  in  Virginia, 
joined  his  Excellency  Lord  Dunmore,  and  underwent  with 
him  all  the  vicissitudes  of  service,  till  his  junction  with  the 
army  at  Staten  Island.  The  Queen's  Rangers  being  intend- 
ed for  active  employ,  your  Excellency  was  pleased  to  appoint 
your  Memorialists,  on  accoimt  of  their  being  more  experi- 
enced in  actual  service,  to  supercede  the  generality  of  those 
who  were  its  officers  :  how  far  your  Excellency's  favoura- 
ble opinion  of  them  has  been  justified,  the  subsequent  be- 
haviour of  the  corps  in  the  Jersies,  at  the  battle  of  Brandy- 
21* 


If-.    ..i. 


■i%  '■• 


262 


AFPENDIX. 


&M^ 


^0i 


I'n 


'.I'm' 


■X 


wine,  and  during  a  variety  of  fatiguing  and  detail  services 
on  which  they  have  been  employed  in  the  course  of  the  late 
winter,  must  testify. 

"  Attached  to  his  Majesty  and  the  cause  of  their  country, 
from  the  purest  motives,  habituated  to  the  fatigues  of  war, 
and  ambitious  of  exerting  themselves  in  it,  confident  that 
the  men  they  command  are  disciplined  equal  to  the  impor- 
tant service  of  the  light  troops  with  whom  they  have  con- 
stantly served,  and  conscious  that,  should  they  obtain  their 
desired  rank,  their  conduct  will  neither  disgrace  it  as  Gentle- 
men and  as  Officers  ;  your  Memorialists  humbly  hope  that 
your  Excellency  will  patronize  their  request,  and  that  your 
intercession  will  induce  his  Majesty  to  look  favourably  on 
their  petition,  and  to  mark  his  approbation  of  their  services 
by  conferring  on  them  the  honour  of  enrolling  with  the  army." 

Page  73,  /tne  27.     Soon  after,  ^-c.  ^. 

Lt.  Col,  Simcoe  had  detailed  his  plan  in  readiness  to  lay 
it  before  Sir  Henry  Clinton.  Ti.e  mode  he  meant  to  propose 
to  effect  his  junction  with  the  Indians  was,  to  be  landed  at 
night,  privately,  at  a  point  called  the  Roundabouts,  on  the 
Raritan  river,  and  to  continue  his  march  as  rapidly  and  se- 
cretly as  possible  to  Easton  on  the  Delaware  :  at  the  same 
time  a  corps  should  proceed  to  Brunswick,  under  the  pretext 
of  foraging,  but  in  reality  to  mask  the  design,  and  to  cover 
the  march  from  th»^  troops  which  the  enemy  had  at  Elizabeth 
Town,  their  only  corps  in  the  Jersies,  under  General  Max- 
well. Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  would  have  joined  the  Indians,  prob- 
ably in  three  days ;  and  long  before  General  Sullivan's  ex- 
pedition against  them. 

Page  S7,  line  4.     Lf.  Col.  Simcoe  rrceiivd  the  following  letter 
from  Col.  WurmI),  commanding  the  Yagem. 

"  Mdnhikiir, — J'envcrrai  aprcs  un  heure  Lfi  Major 
Bruschank  et  200  liommes  vers  Phillips'  house,  et  vers  la 
pointe  du  jour  le  Capit:   Wreden  avec  100  homme»  fur 


APPEIfDIX. 


263 


ail  services 
B  of  the  late 

leir  country, 
;ues  of  war, 
nfident  that 
;o  the  impor- 
;y  have  con- 
T  obtain  their 
}  it  as  Gentle- 
)ly  hope  that 
and  that  your 
avourably  on 
their  services 
ith  the  army." 

•adiness  to  lay 
-ant  to  propose 
)  be  landed  at 
abouts,  on  the 
rapidly  and  se- 
i :  at  the  same 
ider  the  pretext 
[1,  and  to  cover 
id  at  Elizabeth 
General  Max- 
Indians,  prob- 
Sullivan's  ex- 


foUoviing  Idler 

re  Le  Major 
)Uso, et  vers  la 
)0  liommes  fur 


Courtland's  Ridge,  qui  couvrera  votre  Gauche  et  notre 
droite ;  sitot  que  vous  attaquez  les  Chasseurs  passeront  le 
pont  et  marcheront  sur  la  Hauteur  de  la  Maison,  de  la  Veuve 
Babcock.  Si  vous  vous  retirez  faites  les  avertir  par  une 
Patrouille.     J'ai  I'  honneur  d'etre,  &c. 

A  7  1-2  le  soir.  "  WURM13." 

Page  95,  Une  23.     A  general  plan  of  defence  was  calculated 
for  the  whole. 

The  general  orders  were :  in  case  of  alarm,  the  following 
are  to  be  the  posts  of  the  different  companies : — 

Captains  M'llae  and  Kerr's  companies  (supposed  to  be  the 
right)  to  maintain  their  barrack,  Capt.  Al'Ilae's  above  and 
Capt.  Kerr's  below  stairs. 

Capt.  Dunlop's  company  to  occupy  the  right  hand  sunken 
fleche,  Capt.  Saunders  the  left ;  whichtn^er  of  those  compa- 
nies gains  its  post  first,  to  be  divided  and  occupy  both  Heches, 
till  the  arrival  of  the  other :  Captain  Smith's  to  occupy  the 
sunken  work  in  front  of  the  Artillery  barrack.  The  huz- 
zars  will  be  provided  with  arms,  and  are  to  gain  the  fieche 
on  the  left  of  Capt.  Smith's,  nor  are  th«>y  to  think  of  their 
horses  till  ordered  to  get  them  by  a  lield  olficer,  or  the  senior 
officer  within  the  second  abatis,  \\\\o  commands  tlu'  whole 
of  i\\v  out-works  and  redoubt. 

Ca])tains  Stevenson  and  Shank's  companies  to  retreat  on 
the  heights  to  the  one  tre(^  Hill,  and  to  act  according  to  emer- 
gency, retreating  from  if  attacked,  recoiling  on  the  enemy 
if  they  retreat,  and  falling  on  their  rear  if  tlu-y  attempt  to 
force!  the  redoubt. 

The  grena(li«'rs,  the  highlanders,  and  the  pi(juet  of  caval- 
ry, to  join  the  light  infantry  at  their  barracks. 

The  guards  to  retreat  and  join  the  first  company  uiuh-r 
arms;  if  attacked  to  keep  up  a  galling  fire. 

All  soldiers,  wln'ther  ollieers'  servants  or  others,  whom 
their  commanding  officers  permi'  to  lie  out  of  their  bar- 


864 


APPENDIX. 


i»^;iv 


[|(  11-  1.}'  >i  ' 


'.' I't' 


racks,  are  to  have  their  arms  with  them,  and  to  join  the  first 
party  under  arms  that  they  meet.  The  most  profound  si- 
lence to  be  kept,  and  the  Lt.  Colonel  recommends  it  to  the 
officers  not  to  fire  if  possible  ;  but  of  the  necessity  they  must 
judge  themselves :  whatever  quarter  is  attacked,  must  be 
defended.  The  first  officer  that  gets  to  his  company,  to 
march  to  its  post.  Every  quarter  will  be  fortified  as  soon 
as  possible :  every  soldier  must  have  his  post  in  it :  their 
arms  must  be  arranged,  and  bayonets  always  fixed,  and  the 
doors  barricaded ;  when  the  barracks  are  finished,  the  com- 
manding officers  must  report  to  the  Lt.  Colonel,  who  will 
inspect  them.  The  officer  in  the  redoubt,  in  case  from  ne- 
cessity or  intention  the  regiment  shall  not  join  him,  must 
maintain  his  post.  If  he  cannot  keep  the  platforms,  he  is 
to  dismount  his  cannon,  and  bring  them  into  his  guard-house, 
which  he  is  to  defend,  unless  attacked  by  cannon,  with  his 
life. 

The  officers  commanding  companies  will  copy  such  orders 
as  relate  to  themselves  only,  and  inform  their  subalterns  of 
them  ;  and  it  is  their  duty  to  ask  for  an  explanation  of  such 
parts  as  they  do  not  perfectly  understand,  both  in  this  and 
all  other  situations: — no  soldier,  '■'•  non-commissioned  offi- 
cer, to  be  acquainted  with  these  orders. 

Page  117,  line  3.     His  imprimnmcnt,  ^,  ifc. 

Lt.  Col.  Simcoff  had  many  providential  escapes.  Mar- 
rener  prevented  a  l)oy  from  bayoneting  him,  as  he  lay  sense- 
l(?ss  on  the  ground,  saying  "  let  him  alonc^  the  rascal  is  dead 
"  enough ;"  and  another  |)erson  regretted  that  ho  had  not 
shot  him  tlirough  tlw;  head,  which  he  would  havi^  done  had 
he  known  him  to  be  a  Colonel,  but  he  thought  "  all  Colonels 
"  wore  lace."  The  sensations  which  he  felt  as  he,  gradually 
awakened  into  recollection,  and  heard  distant  shouts  and 
Hcattered  firing,  and  saw  what  hands  \\v,  had  fallen  into ; 
and,  when  recovering  more  perfectly,  his  situation,  and  nil 
his  proft.'ssional  hopes  rushed  at  once  upon  his  mind,  arc 


APPENDIX. 


265 


n  the  first 
ofound  si- 
s  it  to  the 
they  must 
I,  must  be 
impany,  to 
led  as  soon 
n  it:  their 
ed,  and  the 
;d,  the  com- 
I,  who  will 
se  from  ne- 
n  him,  must 
forms,  he  is 
^ard-house, 
on,  with  his 

y  such  orders 
subalterns  of 
lation  of  such 
h  in  this  and 
lissioned  offi- 

c.  ^. 

apes.  Mar- 
he  lay  sense- 
ascal  is  dead 

lie  had  not 
ive.  done  had 

all  Colonels 
he  pradually 
t  shouts  and 
fallen  into; 
ition,  and  all 
lis  mind,  are 


better  felt  than  described.  He  had  other  dangers  to  sur- 
mount, the  populace  were  driven  to  fury  by  the  death  of 
Capt.  Vorhees ;  and  he  was  shown  a  letter  from  a  field  offi- 
cer of  the  Jersey  militia,  in  which  was  the  following  para- 
graph :  "  It  was  intended  to  bring  Col.  Simcoe  to  Captain 
"  Vorhees'  grave,  to  show  him  the  cruelty  of  his  people,  but 
"  I  could  not  answer  it."  The  soldiers,  who  had  been  taken, 
were  with  difficulty  preserved  by  Mr.  Clarkson,  Mr.  Morris 
(who  bled  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe)  and  other  gentlemen,  from  as- 
sassination: and  Governor  Livingston,  after  making  "a 
"  little  harangue,"  as  he  termed  it,  to  the  populace,  thought 
it  necessary  to  give  to  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  the  following  written 
protection : 

"  The  Governor  being  informed,  that  some  people  have  a 
design  to  abuse  and  insult  Lt.  Colonel  Simcoe,  a  British  cap- 
tive, and  wounded  in  a  skirmish  that  happened  this  day, 
between  our  militia  and  the  British  horse :  though  the  Go- 
vernor is  not  inclined  to  believe  a  report  that  would  infer  so 
great  a  disgrace  upon  the  people  of  this  state,  as  that  of  the 
least  inclination  of  revenge  against  a  wounded  enemy  in  our 
power  ;  yet  to  prevent  the  execution  of  any  such  attempt,  it 
in  his  express  orders  to  treat  the  said  officer  according  to  the 
rules  of  war,  known  and  practised  among  all  civilised  na- 
tions ;  and  as  it  is  his  desire  to  be  carried  to  Brunswick,  it 
is  his  further  orders,  that  no  molestation  be  given  to  him  in 
his  being  carried  thither,  and  that,  while  there,  he  be  treat- 
ed with  that  humanity  which  the  United  States  of  America 
have  always  observed  towards  their  prisoners. 

"  WILLIAM  LIVINGSTON. 

"Brunswick  Landing,  2d  Oct.  1779. 

"  N.  B.  Mr.  Alexander  K«'llock  having  come  with  a  flag, 
as  a  surgeon,  to  take  care  of  Colont'l  Simcoe  and  a  Serjen  \t, 
and  also  Edward  Heifernon,  his  servant,  are  to  attend  him 
unmoh'sted.  "  WILLIAM  LIVINGSTON." 


^■^.- 


266 


APPENDIX. 


i"t.,- 


If 


!■   *■  i  ■   ■■■'.I   .  ■'     • 


'  'i-f  y.- 


■',M,«>-*' 


'M'l- 


f't-i 


It  would  be  unjust  not  to  mention  that  some  people  of 
Brunswick,  to  whom  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe,  when  Captain  of  gre- 
nadiers, had  it  in  his  power  to  be  of  service,  remembered 
the  protection,  and  in  arms  volunteered  to  assist  Major  Na- 
vius  in  preserving  him  from  insult.  It  is  with  great  pleasure 
Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  has  preserved  the  following  letter,  which  he 
received  from  Lt.  Wilson : 

"Richmond,  Oct.  28,  1770. 

"Yesterday,  and  part  of  the  day  before,  there  was  nothing 
but  the  picture  of  distress  in  every  countenance ;  but  this 
morning  the  soldiers  are  shouting  "  the  father  of  the  Rang- 
"  ers  is  alive  :"  in  short,  nothing  can  exceed  the  joy  which 
appeals  in  the  countenance  of  officers  and  soldiers,  and 
prayers  for  your  speedy  recovery  ;  but  none  can  possibly  be 
more  sincere  than  those  of,  &c.  "  J.  WILSON." 

On  the  28th  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  was  removed  on  parole  to 
Borden  Town,  to  a  tavem  kept  by  Col.  Hoogland  of  the  Jer- 
sey militia,  by  whom  he  was  treated  with  great  civility. 
The  principal  people  of  Borden  Town  were  very  violent,  in 
particular  Messrs.  Borden  and  Kirkbride.  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe, 
in  the  son  of  the  former,  recollected  the  officer  whose  life, 
as  mentioned  in  the  50th  page,  line  27,  he  had  probably 
saved  ;  and  the  circumstances  were  so  well  known  that  the 
fact  was  acknowledged  ;  but  this  did  not  contribute  to  les- 
sen the  illiberal  treatment  he  met  with,  and  the  umbrage 
which  the  inhabitants  took  at  seeing  him  and  Mr.  Kellock 
walk  about  was  such,  that  he  soon  confined  himself  to  the 
house. 

Col.  Lee  had  written  to  offer  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  pecuniary 
assistance  ;  as  Lt.  Campb«'ll,  of  the  74th  regiment,  who  was 
on  parole  at  Prince  Town,  had  kindly  supplied  him,  he  had 
declined  the  acceptance  of  Col.  Lejj's  civility. 

There  were  many  reports  spread  of  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe's  cru- 
elties ;  and  some  rc^bel  justices  were  anxious  for  aflidavits 
to  support  them ;  but  the  direct  contrary  was  the  case  ; 


'i 


m^'!  N 


1« 


APPENDIX. 


267 


3  people  of 
(tain  of  gre- 
remembcred 
t  Major  Na- 
•eat  pleasure 
ter,  which  he 

.  28,  1779. 
;  was  nothing 
tee;  but  this 

of  the  Rang- 
the  joy  which 

soldiers,  and 
an  possibly  be 
WILSON." 

on  parole  to 
and  of  the  Jer- 
great  civility, 
very  violent,  in 
,t.  Col.  Sinicoe, 
!or  whose  life» 

had  probably 
Lnown  that  the 
ntribute  to  Ics- 
|d  the  umbrage 
id  Mr.  Kellock 

himself  to  the 

icoe  pecuniary 
Iment,  who  was 
lied  him,  he  had 

U.  Simcoe  s  cru- 
Is  for  allidavits 
Iwas  the  case; 


many  of  their  party  in  Pennsylvania  offering  to  give  ample 
testimony  of  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe's  humanity,  and  speaking  most 
favourably  of  his  conduct,  while  in  that  province. 

On  the  6th  of  November  he  received  the  following  letter 
from  Col.  Lee : 

"  Monmouth,  6th  Nov.  1779. 

"  Sir, — I  am  happy  to  hear  by  your  polite  reply,  to  an  offer 
dictated  by  the  feelings  of  man  for  man,  that  you  had  al- 
ready been  supplied  in  cash  by  the  friendship  of  a  brother 
officer  ;  should  you  hereafter  stand  in  need  of  that  article, 
I  assure  myself,  you  will  not  suffer  your  want  to  continue 
long.  From  some  insinuations  I  have  heard,  and  from  a 
paragraph  in  the  last  Trenton  Gazette,  I  apprehend  your 
local  situation  not  the  most  agreeable  : — perhaps  you  may 
wish  a  remove  ;  of  course  must  address  the  Governor  ;  be- 
ing employed  in  a  similar  line  by  our  respective  Generals  ; 
it  may  not  be  amiss  to  appeal  to  me,  should  his  Excellency 
require  contradiction  to  the  reports  propagated  prejudicial 
to  your  character.  I  am  a  strangisr  to  what  officer  the  bar- 
barities exercised  on  some  captured  militia  in  Bucks  coun- 
ty, Pennsylvania,  can  be  truly  attributed.  I  have  never 
heard  yourself  declared  as  the  author,  and  am  led  to  believe 
you  was  not  present :  the  unhappy  sacrifice  of  Captain 
Vorhees  in  the  late  enterprise,  I  am  told,  took  place  alter 
you  fell. 

"  Your  treatment  of  one  of  my  dragoons,  who  fell  into 
your  hands  last  campaign,  was  truly  generous,  and  then 
made  an  impression  on  my  mind  which  it  still  retains. 
Anxious  to  prevent  injustice  being  done  to  the  unfortu- 
nate, 1  have  been  particular  in  this  hotter,  though  1  please 
myself  in  presuming  that  it  will  be  unnecessary.  Your 
most  obedient  humble  servant  "  H.  LEE,  Jun." 

Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  made  his  acknowledgments  to  Col.  Lee, 
and  in  regard  to  th(^  alFiiir  at  the  Billet,  informed  him,  that 
he  planned  the  attack  on  General  Lacy  ;  but  that  no  crucl- 


..f*. 


f 

I 


m 


m^ 


MS'A 


'.■ 


, ,,  . 


M«:: 


268 


APPENDIX. 


ties  whatever  were  committed  by  the  Queen's  Rangers. 
On  the  7th  of  November,  Governor  Livingston  came  to 
Borden  Town  ;  from  his  conversation  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  had 
hopes  of  an  immediate  exchange  :  he  was  therefore  much 
surprised  the  next  evening,  on  the  arrival  of  a  militia  party 
conducting  Col.  Billop  of  the  Loyal  militia  of  Staten  Island, 
to  be  accosted  by  the  Serjeant  who  commanded  it,  and  in- 
formed that  he  was  a  prisoner,  and  must  be  confined,  and 
marched  the  next  morning  to  Burlington  jail.  Col.  Hoog- 
land  with  great  humanity  interfered,  and,  upon  their  paroles, 
carried  Cols.  Billop  and  Simcoe  in  his  own  light  waggon  to 
Burlington  the  next  morning.  Mr.  Kellock,  who  accompanied 
them  thither,  returned,  as  he  must  have  also  been  confined, 
which  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  by  no  means  would  permit.  Lt.  Col. 
Simcoe,  his  servant  and  M'Gill,  who  had  come  from  Staten 
Island,  were  confined,  and  no  person  was  admitted  to  speak 
to  them.  Col.  Billop  was  treated  as  the  following  mittimus 
directed,  and  received  at  the  same  time  a  letter  from  Boudi- 
not,  the  Commissary  of  Prisoners. 

"  To  the  Keeper  of  the  Common  Jail  for  the  county  of  Bur- 
lington.    Greeting. 

"  You  are  hereby  commanded  to  receive  into  your  cus- 
tody, the  body  of  Col.  Christopher  Billop,  prisoner  of  war, 
herewith  delivered  to  you,  and  having  put  irons  on  his  hands 
and  feet,  you  are  to  chain  him  down  to  the  floor  in  a  close 
room,  in  the  said  jail ;  and  there  so  detain  him,  giving  him 
bread  and  water  only  for  his  Ibod,  until  you  receive  further 
orders  from  me,  or  th(!  commissary  of  Prisoners  for  the  State 
of  New  Jersey,  for  the  time  being.  Given  under  my  hand 
at  Elizabeth  Town,  this  (Jth  day  of  Nov.  1770. 

"  ELISIIA  BOUDINOT,  Com.  Pris.  New  Jersey." 

"  Sin, — Sorry  I  am  that  I  have  been  put  under  the  disagree- 
able necessity  of  a  treatment  towards  your  person  that  will 
prove  so  irksome  to  ym  ,  but  retaliation  is  directed,  and  it 


APPENDIX. 


269 


}  Rangers. 
[   came  to 
Simcoe  had 
'fore  much 
lilitia  party 
aten  Island, 
d  it,  and  in- 
onfined,  and 
Col.  Hoog- 
;heir  paroles, 
it  waggon  to 
accompanied 
een  confined, 
nit.    Lt.  Col. 
3  from  Staten 
itted  to  speak 
ving  mittimus 
it  from  Boudi- 

mnty  of  Bur- 

into  your  cus- 
isoner  of  war, 
IS  on  his  hands 
[oor  in  a  close 
|m,  giving  him 

■ecrivc  further 
Irs  for  the  State 

inder  my  hand 

19. 
New  Jersey." 

-r  the  disagree- 
person  that  will 
Idirectcd,  and  it 


will,  I  most  sincerely  hope,  be  in  your  power  to  relieve  your- 
self from  the  situation  by  writiiig  to  New  York,  to  procure 
the  relaxation  of  the  sufferings  of  John  Leshier,  and  Capt. 
Nathaniel  Randal.  It  seems,  nothing  short  of  retaliation 
will  teach  Britons  to  act  like  men  of  humanity. 

"  I  am,  sir,  your  most  humble  servant, 

"  ELISHA  BOUDINOT,  Com.  S.  Pris. 
"Elizabeth  Town,  Nov.  6,  1779. 
**  Col.  Christopher  Billop,  Burlington." 

John  Leshier  had  murdered  a  Loyalist,  whom  he  had 
waylaid,  and,  in  the  room  of  being  instantly  executed  as  a 
murderer,  and  as  he  deserved,  was  confined  in  irons.  Nathan- 
iel Randal  was  the  skipper  of  a  vessel,  being  a  private  militia 
man  he  was  not  permitted  his  parole,  which  indulgence  is 
only  extended  to  officers.  Col.  Billop,  who  was  to  retaliate 
for  these  people,  was  a  gentleman  of  most  excellent  char- 
acter, and  considerable  property  ;  who,  in  the  House  of  As- 
sembly, where  he  liad  a  seat,  had  uniformly  opposed  those 
measures  which  led  to  a  rupture  with  Great  Britain  ;  and, 
on  the  breaking  out  of  the  war,  had  accepted  of  the  com- 
mission of  Colonel  of  the  Staten  Island  militia :  so  that 
nothing  could  possibly  suggest  to  Boudinot  the  reflection  he 
made  on  the  national  humanity,  but  that  he  could  do  it  with 
impunity ;  and  that  it  did  not  misbecome  his  birth  and  extrac- 
tion, being  the  son  of  a  low  Frenchman,  who  kept  an  ale-house 
at  Prince  Town.  His  brother  has  been  President  of  Congress. 

There  were  two  soldiers  of  the  guards  in  Burlington  jail, 
they  had  been  taken  prisoners  in  Pennsylvania,  and  confined 
in  Fort  Frederick,  from  whence  they  had  made  their  escape  ; 
but  being  re-taken,  were  imprisoned.  They  had  no  provi- 
sions allowed  them,  but  depended  upon  the  precarious  char- 
ity of  a  lew  friends  for  subsistence.  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  rep- 
resented their  situation  to  the  sheriff',  which  their  emaciated 
appearance  fully  confirmed ;  in  consequence,  they  were 
shortly  alter  removed  from  Burlington. 
2a 


270 


APPENDIX. 


Col.  Lee  still  continued  his  generous  attention ;  and  to 
the  utmost  of  his  power  supported  the  request  which  Lt. 
Col.  Simcoe  had  made,  to  be  permitted  to  go  on  parole  to 
Staten  Island,  as  the  following  letter  will  evince. 


■  •«•■  'f  - 


!f,j^';^i.' 


.»*; 


...J  ■'■■-'I'' 


,r  ■  ( • 


\Wi 


Monmouth,  14th  Nov.  1779. 

"  Sir, — I  have  received  an  answer  from  Gov.  Livingston, 
to  my  letter  of  request,  in  your  behalf.  I  was  very  partic- 
ular in  my  address,  and,  although  I  cannot  congratulate 
myself  on  its  full  success,  I  flatte"  myself  it  will  lead  to  the 
completion  of  your  wishes.  Tne  following  is  an  extract 
from  the  Governor's  letter : — "  Col.  Simcoe's  treatment  by 
this  state  is  not  founded  on  his  character.  We  think  it  our 
indispensable  duty  to  retaliate  the  enemy's  severity  to  some 
of  our  citizens  in  New  York;  but  that  such  treatment 
should,  however,  happen  to  be  exercised  on  a  person  of 
whom  you  entertain  so  favourable  an  opinion,  (besides  the 
disagreeableness  of  such  measures  at  any  time,)  is  particu- 
larly afflictive  to,  &c.  &c.  &c." 

"  From  the  above  declaration  I  presume,  that  your  parole 
may  be  procured,  in  a  few  days,  if  any  expection  can  be 
held  out  to  the  executive  power  of  the  State,  tending  to  a 
liberation  of  any  one  of  her  citizens  in  New  York. 

"  Perhaps  your  presence  with  Sir  Henry  Clinton  might 
affect  an  alteration  in  the  measures  complained  of,  and  a 
system  of  perfect  liberality  might  be  established  in  future  : 
if  you  will  permit  me  to  declare  your  determination  on  this 
point,  and,  if  it  answers  my  expectation,  I  will  do  myself 
the  pleasure  of  waiting  on  the  Governor  in  person,  to  at- 
tempt the  full  settlement  of  the  unhappy  business.  I  have, 
as  yet,  no  reply  from  Mr.  Boudinot,  though  his  station  does 
not  promise  much  service,  and  therefore  his  opinion  will  be 
very  unimportant.  I  have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

H.  LEE,  Jun." 

Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  answered  Col.  Lee's  letter,  and  in  that 
part  which  referred  to  the  liberation  of  Randal,  or  Fitzran- 


APPENDIX. 


271 


in ;  and  to 
which  Lt. 
I  parole  to 


ov.  l^TO. 
Livingston, 
very  partic- 
longratulate 
I  lead  to  the 
i  an  extract 
reatment  by 
.  think  it  our 
erity  to  some 
ih  treatment 
a  person  of 
,  (besides  the 
e,)  is  particu- 

it  your  parole 
jction  can  be 
,  tending  to  a 
iTork. 

::;iinton  might 
ncd  of,  and  a 
led  in  future : 
nation  on  this 
vill  do  myself 
person,  to  at- 
ness.     I  have, 
,s  station  does 
>pinion  will  be 
ie,&c. 
LEE,  Jun." 
T,  and  in  that 
lal,  or  Fitzran- 


dolph,  he  assured  Col.  Lee,  "  that  if  that  person  had  acted 
without  a  commission,  as  it  was  reported,  and  his  opinion 
was  asked  by  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  it  would  be  immediately 
to  execute  him,  though  he,  on  his  return  from  Staten  Island, 
should  suffer  the  same  fate  by  a  retaliation,  to  use  the  Gov- 
ernor's phrase." 

Gov.  Livingston  gave  the  following  answer  to  Lt.  Col. 
Simcoe's  letter,  demanding  to  know  what  persons  would  be 
received  in  exchange  for  him,  and  requesting  his  parole  to 
Staten  Island. 

Mount  Holly,  Nov.  10th,  1779. 

Sir, — I  have  received  your  letter,  without  date.  Your 
confinement,  and  the  order  relative  to  Col.  Billop,  is  in  con- 
sequence of  the  advice  of  the  Pri\'y  Council ;  till  they  re- 
scind their  resolve,  I  am  not  at  liberty  to  deviate  from  it ;  I 
hope,  however,  that  you  will  not  be  disagreeably  situated, 
except  as  to  the  confinement.  The  exchange  proposed  for 
you  and  Col.  Billop  (which  is  Col.  Reynolds,  Mr.  Fitzran- 
dolph,  Leshier,  and  Jackson,  and  as  many  other  privates  as 
will  make  it  equal)  has,  I  suppose,  before  this  time  reached 
New  York.  If  you  are  not  soon  released,  it  will  be  the  fault  of 
the  British.  For  my  part,  I  heartily  wish  it  may  be  effected 
in  the  speediest  manner,  and  not  only  for  the  sake  of  our  citi- 
zens in  captivity  at  New  York,  but  also  from  sentiments  of 
humanity  towards  Col.  Billop  and  yourself,  as  1  am  not  grati- 
fied by  the  sufferings  of  any  man ;  and  I  am  sure  the  Gov- 
ernor does  not,  and  luliy  pursuaded  the  Council  do  not  har- 
bour any  personal  resentment  against  Col.  Billop.  Unfor- 
tunately for  that  gentleman,  the  treatment  of  some  of  our 
citizens  in  New  York,  has  induced  this  State  to  consider  re- 
taliation their  indispensable  duty,  and  it  is  his  particular  mis- 
fortune to  be  in  our  possesion  at  this  melancholy  juncture. 

"  Respecting  your  request  of  going  to  Staten  Island  on 
your  parole,  I  hope  your  exchange  will  be  negotiated  with- 


S7a 


APPENDIX. 


out  it ;  and,  for  that  purpose,  any  of  your  letters  on  that 
subject  shall  be  cheerfully  transmitted  to  New  York,  by 
"  Sir,  your  humble  servant,    WILLIAM  LIVINGSTON. 

"  P.  S.  In  answer  to  Dr.  Kellock's  letter,  desiring  to  at- 
tend you  as  Surgeon,  I  have  acquainted  him  that  there  is  no 
objection,  provided  he  consents  to  be  confined  with  you. 

"  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  of  the  Queen's  Rangers." 


■':■  ,■  ♦    . .  ■     If: 

E-  ,»■■    ■  ■ 


;•■•(* 


■,n-  ■,;.>■., -it'.i 

'■^ ',f^. ;■'•■■ 
■;l!  ji''.^,-    . 


"  Sir, — I  have  just  now  the  honour  of  receiving  your  letter; 
I  am  sorry  you  will  not  permit  me  to  go  to  Staten  Island, 
to  negociate  mine  and  Col.  Billop's  exchange. 

"I  shall  embrace  an  opjiortunityof  writing  to  New  York; 
but  I  must  first  beg  to  be  acquainted,  whether  Mr.  Randolph 
is  or  is  not  a  Captain  ?  he  being  styled  such  in  M.  Bou- 
dinot's  letter  to  Col.  Billop. 

"  I  am  also  to  beg,  you  will  please  to  inform  me  for  whom 
I  am  to  retaliate,  or  for  what  I  am  confined  1  such  usage  be- 
ing most  unprecedented. 

"  As  you  are  pleased  to  observe  that  no  private  resent- 
ment is  ha.'Loured  against  Col.  Billop,  I  wish  to  know 
whether  there  be  any  against  me. 

"  I  should  be  happy  to  have  an  early  answer,  and  am,  sir, 
your  humble  servant,  J.  G.  SIMCOE. 

"Burlington  Goal,  Nov.  10th,  1779. 

"  P.  S.  I  am  not  well  acquainted  with  these  matters,  but 
I  conceive  the  present  proposition  to  be  what  last  year  Gen. 
Washington  refused  to  exchange  Gen.  Burgoyno's  army  on, 
when  made  by  Sir  Henry  Clinton  ;  and  1  should  be  glad  to 
know  the  ranks  of  those  people,  with  the  number  of  privates, 
necessary  to  complete  them  to  Col.  Billop's  rank." 

"Mount  Holly,  11th  November,  1779. 
"  Sir, — I  have  just  now  received  your  letter  of  yesterday's 
date. 


APPENDIX. 


273 


its  on  that 
ork,  by 
INGSTON. 

iFing  to  at- 
t  there  is  no 
dth  you. 


;  your  letter; 
aten  Island, 

)  New  York; 
Ir.  Randolph 
linM.  Bou- 
rne for  whom 
uch  usage  be- 

ivate  resent- 
ish  to  know 

p,  and  am,  sir, 
SIMCOE. 


matters,  but 
last  year  Gen. 
Ine's  army  on, 

lid  be  glad  to 
[pi  of  privates, 

ik." 

Imber,  1779. 
1  of  yesterday's 


"As  the  particular  mode  of  exchanging  American  for 
British  prisoners  will,  I  presume,  not  be  insisted  upon  by  Sir 
Henry  Clinton,  in  the  present  case ;  I  hope  no  difference 
about  his  Excellency  Gen.  Washington  and  him  will  retard 
the  effect  of  the  present  proposition,  and  it  was  for  that  very 
reason,  if  I  rightly  apprehended  you,  that  you  preferred  your 
being  considered  as  a  prisoner  to  this  state. 

"  Mr.  Fitzrandolph  is  no  officer  in  our  militia,  but,  never- 
theless, of  so  respectable  a  character  that  we  are  universal- 
ly solicitous  for  his  release  ;  and,  though  a  gentleman  of  the 
strictest  honour,  has  been  treated  with  the  greatest  indignity 
by  your  superiors. 

"The  rest  of  the  persons  proposed  for  exchange,  save  Col. 
Reynolds,  are  also  privates.  As  to  the  additional  number  of 
privates  necessary  to  make  the  exchange  equal  in  consider- 
ation of  your  and  Col.  Billop's  rank,  it  must  be  determined 
by  military  usage  ;  which  it  will  be  easy  for  the  two  Com- 
missaries to  adjust,  and  no  reasonable  cause  of  obstruction 
will,  1  hope,  originate  from  that  source. 

"  You  also  ask  me  for  whom  you  are  retaliated  upon,  and 
for  what  you  are  confined  ?  such  usage  being,  as  you  are 
pleased  to  observe,  most  unprecedented.  Considering,  sir, 
that  the  confinement  of  our  citizens,  both  officers  and  pri- 
vates, when  prisoners  with  the  enemy,  has  been  as  uniformly 
directed  as  if  it  had  been  a  matter  of  course,  it  ought  not  to 
appear  wonderful,  should  we  adopt  the  same  mode  of  treat- 
ment, even  without  any  view  to  retaliate ;  the  precedent  be- 
ing set  by  our  adversaries  without  the  least  pretence  on  their 
part  of  retaliating  upon  us.  But  when  such  measures  are 
ordered  by  us  for  the  express  and  sole  purpose  of  relieving 
our  suffering  subjects,  the  impartial  world  must  approve, 
and  humanity  itself,  from  their  tendency  to  procure  milder 
treatment,  in  the  final  result,  be  constrained  to  applaud 
them.  Superadd  to  this,  your  counteracting  the  express 
terms  of  your  parole  at  Borden  Town,  (I  would  wish  to  be- 
lieve rather  from  your  misconstruction  than  determinate  de- 
22* 


-I 


r,  K 


■  .,•)»  »tl'?¥i.!A.r  1!,. 


■■'i.v    ■-';     >' 


374 


APPENDIX. 


sign  to  violate  it.)  and  your  having  been  heard  to  say,  that 
whenever  you  should  apprehend  yourself  in  danger  of  being 
insulted  by  the  people,  you  should  think  yourself  at  liberty 
to  effect  your  escape,  (of  which  danger  you  doubtless  in- 
tended to  be  judge,)  not  to  mention  that  your  present  situa- 
tion is  your  best  security  against  all  popular  violence,  in 
case  there  were  any  grounds  for  such  apprehension  ;  and,  I 
doubt  not,  you  will,  on  cooler  reflection,  find  no  reason  to 
charge  the  step  in  question  with  any  unnecessary  severity. 

"To  your  question,  whether  private  resentment  is  har- 
boured against  you  ?  I  answer,  sir,  that  public  bodies  are 
not  actuated  by  private  resentment ;  but  the  actions  of  in- 
dividuals of  a  public  nature,  such  as  cruelty  to  prisoners, 
may  nevertheless  properly  occasion  towards  such  individu- 
als a  line  of  conduct,  very  different  from  what  is  observed 
towards  those  of  an  opposite  character,  and  this,  with  as 
little  colour  for  complaining  of  personal  resentment  as  of 
the  civil  magistrates  punishing  a  public  offender ;  but  as  no 
such  charge  has  been  proved,  (though  many  have  been  al- 
leged against  you,)  I  have  no  reason  to  think  that  such  re- 
ports have  influenced  this  Government  in  the  measures  hith- 
erto directed,  concerning  you. 

"  The  negotiating  the  exchange  of  prisoners  being,  by  our 
law,  entirely  committed  to  the  Commissary,  (though  the  Go- 
vernor is  authorised  to  superintend  their  treatment,)  you 
will  be  pleased,  sir,  in  your  future  correspondence  on  that 
subject  to  be  referred  to  him ;  I  do  not  mean  by  this  to  dis- 
courage you  from  making  any  necessary  application,  to,  sir, 
"  your  most  humble  servant, 

"WILLIAM  LIVINGSTON." 

"  Sir, — I  must  beg  of  you  to  forward  the  inclosed  packet 
to  Sir  Henry  Clinton. 

"  I  was  pleased  that  I  had  fallen  into  the  hands  of  the 
state  of  New  Jersey,  rather  than  into  that  of  the  Continen- 
tal army,  solely  from  the  reliance  I  had  on  the  assurances 


APPENDIX. 


275 


►  say,  that 
3r  of  being 
•  at  liberty 
(ubtless  in- 
3sent  situa- 
iriolence,  in 
sion ;  and,  I 
a  reason  to 
ry  severity, 
nent  is  har- 
.  bodies  are 
ctions  of  in- 
to prisoners, 
ich  individu- 
,t  is  observed 
this,  with  as 
ntment  as  of 
ler ;  but  as  no 
tiave  been  al- 
I  that  such  re- 
neasureshith- 

being,byour 
hough  the  Go- 
catment,)  you 
ience  on  that 
by  this  to  dis- 

ication,  to,  sir, 

|,nt, 
{GSTON." 

iclosed  packet 

hands  of  the 
the  Continen- 
Ihe  assurances 


you  gave  me,  that  I  probably  should  be  exchanged  in  a  few 
days,  naming  to  me  Colonels  Reynolds  or  llendrickson,  as 
the  likely  persons. 

"  I  never  heard  of  a  Lt.  Colonel's  being  taken  from  his 
parole,  and  confined  in  a  common  goal,  because  a  private 
sentinel  was  imprisoned ;  and  am  at  a  loss,  in  such  treat- 
ment, to  find  the  meaning  of  retaliation. 

"  You  cannot /o/'ce  yourself  to  believe,  sir,  that  I  ever  har- 
boured a  thought  of  violating  my  parole ;  although  the 
principle  of  honour  be  very  imperfectly  felt  among  common 
people,  no  man,  even  in  that  class,  would  break  his  word,  or 
suspect  that  a  British  ofiicer  dare  do  it,  were  he  not  himself 
divested  of  all  probity. 

"  I  conceived  at  Borden  Town,  that  I  was  at  liberty  to 
walk  in  its  environs,  according  to  military  usage,  for  my 
health :  Col.  Iloogland,  whom  I  consulted,  w^as  of  the  same 
opinion ;  I  never  exceeded  a  mile,  and  confined  mj'self  to 
my  house  when  I  found  it  was  disagreeable.  There  being 
some  difficulty  in  procuring  a  guard  for  my  protection  when 
at  Ilariton  landing,  I  publicly  told  Major  Navius,  that  if  my 
life  was  attacked  and  1  was  not  ])rotectod,  I  should  think  my- 
self at  liberty  to  escape,  in  the  propriety  of  which  he  acqui- 
esced :  I  never  mentioned,  sir,  nor  meant,  in  case  I  wjis  in- 
sulted ;  many  insults  I  have  met  with,  which,  as  they  deserv- 
ed, I  have  treated  with  contempt.  I  should  not  have  asked 
whether  private  resentment  was  harboured  against  me,  had 
not  you  written,  sir,  that  neither  you  or  the  council  harbour- 
ed any  personal  resentment  against  Colonel  Billop ;  that 
gentleman's  sufferings,  and  my  own  confinement,  I  must  still 
conceive  to  be  most  severe  and  unprecedented.  I  am  to  ob- 
serve, sir,  that  I  never  complained  of  personal  resentment ; 
I  was  far  from  thinking  1  had  any  reason  to  apprehend  it ; 
but  it  is  my  duty  to  obtain  as  explicit  reasons  as  you  choose 
to  give,  for  my  superiors  to  Judge  why  I  am  treated  contra- 
ry to  the  laws  of  arms  and  humanity. 
"  In  regard  to  thi  newspaper,  and  popular  fabrications  of 


276 


APPENDIX. 


cruelty  alleged  against  me,  I  should  treat  them  with  con- 
tempt, had  not  you  been  pleased  to  take  notice  of  them : 
such  imputations,  sir,  will  not  fasten  on  me  ;  my  character 
is  not  in  the  power  of  those  who  wish  to  injure  it,  and  the 
most  unexceptionable  evidence  is  necessary  to  prove,  that 
the  characteristic  of  cowardice  distinguishes  my  conduct. 
My  employment  gave  me  the  cursory  possession,  the  mo- 
mentary charge  of  prisoners ;  and  cruelty  is  contrary  to  my 
nature,  my  education,  and  my  obedience  to  my  orders.  My 
private  atfairs  calling  me  to  Staten  Island,  my  application 
was  made  to  you,  sir,  on  that  consideration. 

"  1  still  trust  you  will  intercede  to  obtain  me  that  permis- 
sion ;  and,  if  I  do  not  effect  my  exchange,  I  shall  return  to 
prison  with  the  satisfaction  of  having  settled  my  private 
business.  "  I  have  the  honour  to  be,  sir,  &c. 

"J.  G.  SIMCOE." 


-':''# 


LirVf- 


■■':•{<.:' 


■;  ■•'  > 


Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  enclosed  the  correspondence  he  had  held 
with  Governor  Livingston  to  Sir  Henry  Clinton  in  the  fol- 
lowing letter,  which  was  open  and  forwarded  by  the  Gover- 
nor to  Mew- York : 

"  Sir, — Governor  Livingston  having  promised  me  to  for- 
ward to  your  Excellency  my  letters  ;  I  take  the  earliest  op- 
portunity of  acquainting  you  with  my  late  and  present  situ- 
ation. 

"  The  result  of  my  incursion  your  Excellency  is  acquaint- 
ed with,  and  I  have  only  to  observe,  that  it  was  neither  the 
valour  of  my  enemies,  or  the  least  inattention  of  my  party, 
that  occasioned  my  being  made  a  prisoner ;  but  it  is  to  bo 
attributed  to  the  most  uncommon  and  malicious  fortune. 

"  My  life  was  preserved  by  the  eagerness  with  which,  as 
I  have  been  informed,  I  was  plundered  wlien  in  a  state  of 
insensibility,  and  al'terwards  by  the  humanity  of  Mr.  Morris. 

"  A  Capt.  Voriices  was  killed  by  the  detachment  in  its  re- 
turn, after  I  was  taken  ;  his  relations  seemed  to  the  Govcr- 


APPENDIX. 


277 


with  con- 
of  them : 
character 
it,  and  the 
rove,  that 
f  conduct, 
(ti,  the  mo- 
rary  to  my 
rders.    My 
application 

tiat  permis- 
,11  return  to 
my  private 
r,  &c. 
IMCOE." 

he  had  held 
1  in  the  Ibl- 
ythe  Govei- 


me  to  for- 
earlicst  op- 
present  situ- 

is  acquaint- 
neither  the 
)i'  my  party, 
lit  it  is  to  bo 

fortune, 
th  which,  as 
lin  a  state  of 
f  Mr.  Morris, 
lent  in  its  rc- 
the  Gover- 


nor so  determined  to  revenge  his  death  by  my  destruction, 
that  he  gave  me  a  written  protection ;  and  afterwards  di- 
rected Major  Navius,  who  treated  me  with  great  humanity, 
personally  to  prevent  any  injuries  that  might  be  offered  to 
me.  I  was  removed  to  Borden  Town  on  my  parole,  until  the 
9th,  when  I  was  taken  from  it,  and  close  confined  in  Bur- 
lington goal. 

"  As  my  commitment  expressed  no  reason  for  this  treat- 
ment, I  wrote  to  Governor  Livingston  on  the  subject,  and 
enclose  to  your  Excellency  the  correspondence. 

"  I  look  upon  my  present  situation  as  most  particularly 
unfortunate. 

"  My  private  affairs  called  for  my  greatest  attention,  and 
having  procured  your  Excellency's  leave,  I  had  great  pros- 
pect of  success  in  them. 

"  I  trust,  sir,  that  having  obtained  your  recommendation 
near  a  twelve  month  since  for  promotion,  you  will  still  pat- 
ronise the  application  you  then  honoured  with  your  appro- 
bation. 

"  My  fair  fame  has  been  struck  at,  and  cruelty,  the  attri- 
bute of  fear,  has  been  imputtsd  to  me  in  the  public  prints, 
and  industriously  propagated  by  ignorant,  designing,  and 
cowardly  people. 

'*  My  honest  ambition  has  been  most  severely  disappoint- 
ed ;  and  1  am  doomed  to  pass  the  llower  of  my  youth  in  a 
goal  with  criminals,  when  my  state  of  health,  affected  by 
my  fall,  leads  to  an  imbecility  of  mind,  that  will  not  permit 
tome  the  consolut ions  resulting  from  my  liberal  education: 
yet,  should  I  even  be  doomed  obscurely  to  perish  in  the 
quicksand  of  (h'ceit  j»nd  calumny,  with  which  1  am  now  .sur- 
rounded, it  is  my  duty  to  expect,  that  no  fiu'fher  ungenerous 
advantage  may  be  j)ermitfed  to  tlu^  adversary,  who,  tramp- 
ling on  the  res{)ect  due  to  his  own  adherents,  and  presuming 
on  the  att(>ntion  your  IjXcellcncy  mny  Im^  inclined  to  pay  to 
my  situation,  may  think  to  oiler,  without  impunity,  some 
further  insult  to  the  IJritish  servie*'.  the  liberal  customs  of 
war,  and  to  the  honour  of  my  country. 


278 


APPENDIX. 


!/;■■  >"^  ■,■ 


%■ 

,.'"! 

\V 

.^*-; 

■^l  ■ 

•''\v  ^ 

'■  '■ '  , 

■  ,f  • 

'^' 

-» 

n     • 

.  ■> 

,<:'  •' 

"  Of  my  proposed  exchange  you,  sir,  are  the  best  judge. 

"  Governor  Livingston  observed  to  me,  that  I  was  the 
more  likely  to  be  immediately  exchanged  by  being  a  prison- 
er of  the  state  of  New  Jersey,  than  if  I  had  been  taken  by 
the  Continental  army.  I  acquiesced  in  his  opinion;  not 
then  conceiving  how  much  the  field  officers,  who  fight  un- 
der the  banners  of  this  state,are  depreciated  in  its  estimation. 

"  There  is  one  hope  near,  very  near  to  my  heart,  which  is, 
that  your  Excellency  will  patronise  my  corps,  and  employ  it 
in  the  same  line  as  if  I  was  present ;  its  reputation  would 
be  the  greatest  comfort  I  could  receive  in  a  situation  that  ex- 
cludes me  from  participating  in  its  danger  and  its  glory. 

"  Colonel  Billop  was  confined,  from  his  parole  given  to 
the  Continental  army,  the  same  day  with  me  ;  and  that  most 
respectable  and  amiable  gentleman  suffers  according  to  the 
enclosed  mittimus ; — I  subjoin  to  your  Excellency  his  pa- 
role, and  M.  Uoudinot's  letter  to  him  on  his  confinement. 

"For  my  own  part,  sir,  I  wish  for  no  retaliation  that  may 
affect  the  rights  which  the  custom  of  war  allows  to  individu- 
als of  rank,  in  order  to  soften  the  horrors  of  it.  I  am  obliged 
to  write  at  intervals ;  or  I  should,  before  now,  have  sought 
an  opportunity  of  transmitting  an  account  of  my  situation 
to  your  Excellency,  of  wishing  you  ('very  personal  and  pub- 
lic success  you  can  desire,  and  of  siihseribing  myself  your 
most  obedient,  and  most  humble  servant, 

"J.  G.  81MC0E." 

In  the  preceding  letter  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  made  the  fullest 
display  possil)|e  of  his  miserable  situation.  purpos<'ly  to  give 
greater  force  to  his  contempt  of  nil  personal  eonsecpiences. 
At  this  period  he  had  been  informed,  by  some,  friends  who 
were  anxious  for  iiis  safety,  that  if  Lt.  llele.  of  the  navy, 
(who  was  then  at  IMiilndelpliia  a  prisoner,  in  order  to  under- 
go whatsoever  might  hefiil  Cunningham,  imprisoned  for  pi- 
racy in  England.)  should  die,  and  he  was  dangerously  ill,  \A. 
Col.  fSiincoe  was  talked  of  by  the  rebels  as  a  proper  substi- 


APPENDIX. 


279 


St  judge. 
1  was  the 
g  a  prison- 
i  taken  by 
linion;  not 

0  tight  un- 
estimation. 
rt,  -which  is, 
wi  employ  it 
ation  would 
tion  that  ex- 
its glory, 
role  given  to 
md  that  most 
ording  to  the 
ency  his  pa- 
tinement. 
ion  that  may 
i'stoindividu- 

1  I  am  obliged 
have  sought 
my  situation 

onal  and  pub- 

myseir  your 
rvant, 
SIMCOE." 

ide  the  fullest 
josely  to  give 
conseipiences. 
iViendrt  who 
of  the  navy, 
)r(ler  to  under- 
risoned  for  pi- 
•rously  ill,  I't. 
proper  substi- 


tute for  that  officer :  and  this  information  was,  in  some  mea- 
sure, confirmed  by  the  little  attention  which  the  Governor 
and  Council  paid  to  the  pressing  application  of  the  friends 
of  those  officers  of  the  Jersey  militia,  who  were  prisoners  in 
New- York,  and  whose  exchange  was  reasonably  supposed 
to  depend  upon  that  of  Colonels  Billop  and  Simcoe.     A  few 
days  after  those  letters  had  been  forwarded  to  Sir  Henry 
Clinton,  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  was  removed  from  the  room  he  had 
hitherto  inhabited,  at  midnight,  into  that  of  the  felons :  he 
then  determined,  in  case  of  any  intelligence  of  Cunning- 
ham's execution  arriving  at  Philadelphia,  instantly  to  make 
his  escape  ;  and  he  had  Ibund  means  to  have  received  the 
earliest  notice  of  this  event.     There  were  many  British  sol- 
diers, prisoners  of  war,  at  work  in  the  neighbourhood  ;  his 
idea  was  to  get  eight  or  ten  of  them  to  assemble  at  a  given 
place  ;  M'Gill  had  already  conferred  with  a  Serjeant  of  the 
17th  infantry,  to  whom  the  highest  offers  would  have  been 
held  out  in  case  of  necessity.     The  carbines  of  Col.  Lee's 
dragoons  and  their  ammunition  were  in  the  goal ; — there 
was  confined,  a  bold  and  daring  man  of  the  name  of  Blox- 
am  ;  he  had  been  the  armourer  of  one  of  his  Majesty's  ships. 
M'Gill  got  an  impression  of  the  key  of  the  room  where  Lee's 
arms  were,  and,  with  the  aid  of  Bloxam,  a  false  one  was 
made  of  pewter :  with  this,  as  soon  as  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  was 
let  out  of  his  room,  the  goalerone  morning  entrusting  M'Gill 
with  that  office,  being  himself  indisposed,  they  opened  the 
armory,  saw  the  carbines,  and  that  they  were  fit  for  service, 
and  locked  the  door,  when  the  key  broke  in  it. — These  were 
the  most  anxious  moments  ]A.  Col.  Simcoe  ever  underweut ; 
if  the  goaler  had  come  up  stairs,  it  is  probable  liloxam  or 
M'Gill  would  have  biM-n  executed ;  and  a  party  of  Col.  I^ee's 
were  every  moment  expected  to  visit  the  store-room  ;  Blox- 
am, with  great  ingeiuiity,  cut  the  key,  so  that  it  dropped  un- 
discovered into  the  look  ;  and  Col.  Le«''s  people,  on  their  ar- 
rival, found  no  dilliciilfy  in  o|)ening  it.     Another  key  was 
made,  and  the  escape  was  determined  on,  and  probably 


™   M 

W}. 

'iff' 

'.I 

e- 

l: 

280 


APPENDIX. 


If 
I 


f. 


would  have  taken  place  if  necessary :  the  plan  was  to  sur- 
prise a  party  of  Col.  Lee's,  who  lay  about  ten  miles  off, 
and  to  take  their  horses  and  proceed  to  Sandy  Hook ;  and 
this,  it  was  hoped,  might  have  been  effected  by  stealth 
rather  than  violence.  M'Gill  offered  to  personate  Lt.  Col. 
Simcoe  and  remain  behind  in  his  bed,  if  it  could  facili- 
tate his  escape. 

Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  enclosed  to  Governor  Livingston  a  letter 
he  received  from  Major  Andre,  proposing  his  being  admitted 
on  his  parole  to  New  York,  the  same  indulgence  being  grant- 
ed the  rebel  Colonel  Baylor  to  Virginia  ;  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  in- 
formed the  Governor  that  "  he  had  received  this  proposal, 
"  General  Sir  Henry  Clinton  supposing  that  he  was  on  his 
"  parole,  and  not  knowing  that  he  was  treated  as  a  crimi- 
"  nal."  To  this  Governor  Livingston  returned  the  following 
answer. 


"'M 


Mount  Holly,  Nov.  29th,  1780. 

"  Sir, — I  received  your  letter  without  date  last  night ;  this 
is  the  second  time  I  have  remarked  that  omission,  what  you 
mean  by  being  used  like  a  criminal,  I  am  at  a  loss  to  deter- 
mine, if  you  refer  to  your  imprisonment ;  our  own  people 
have  received  similar  treatment  from  the  British  in  numer- 
ous instances ;  Mr.  Fitzrandolph,  one  of  our  citizens,  who 
is  proposed  to  be  exchanged  for  you  and  Col.  Billop,  is  at 
this  very  time  used  in  the  same  manner,  and  is  no  more  a 
criminal  than  any  man  that  is  not  so. 

"  If  Sir  Henry  Clinton  will  agree  to  any  exchange,  I  can- 
not see  why  \u'.  should  object  to  the  one  proposed ;  and,  con- 
sidering that  one  of  those  we  want  to  have  liberated  is  in 
goal,  and  that  the  other  has  been  chained  to  the  floor  for 
above  four  months,  there  is  the  highest  reason  for  this  State 
to  insist  upon  it,  if  he  is  against  all  exchange  whatsoever, 
to  him,  sir,  you  must  ascribe  the  prolongation  of  your  du- 
rance 

"  That  we  consider  your  reputation  with  the  British  troops 


APPENDIX. 


S81 


rasto  sur- 
miles  off, 
Hook;  and 
by  stealth 
,ate  Lt.  Col. 
jould  facili- 

iton  a  letter 
Lng  admitted 
being  grant- 
)1.  Simcoe  in- 
his  proposal, 
}  was  on  bis 
d  as  a  crimi- 
the  following 

29th,  1780. 

last  night ;  this 

fsion,  what  you 

I  loss  to  deter- 

■r  own  people 

ftish  in  numer- 

.  citizens,  who 

>l.  Billop,  is  at 

is  no  more  a 

Ixchange,  1  can- 
]osed ;  and,  con- 
liberated  is  in 
iothe  floor  for 
in  for  this  State 
Lc  whatsoev«>r, 
lion  of  your  du- 

Ivc  British  troops 


and  your  intended  voyage  to  Europe,  as  two  circumstances 
that  "will  probably  expedite  the  relief  of  our  suffering  citi- 
zens, you  will  be  pleased  to  impute  (though  you  may  regret, 
as  I  really  do  myself,  your  personal  disappointment)  to  my 
fidelity  to  those  for  whose  liberty  it  is  my  duty  to  be  anxious. 
Considering  that  they,  though  for  many  months  in  captivity, 
have  never  been  indulged  to  return  home  on  parole  to  pro- 
cure their  final  release  ;  and  that  we  cannot  conceive,  how 
your  going  to  New  York  should  facilitate  General  Clinton's 
acceding  to  our  proposal,  there  is  no  probability  of  the 
Council's  adopting  that  measure.  I  am,  sir,  your  most  hum- 
ble servant,  WILLIAM  LIVINGSTON.' 

"  Sir, — I  have  I'eceived  your  letter  of  the  2Uth  of  Novem- 
ber, and  am  to  apologize  to  you  for  the  unpolite,  though  ac- 
cidental omission,  of  my  not  dating  the  letter  which  it  an- 
swers. 

"  I  conceive  myself  treated  as  a  criminal ;  the  custom  of 
civilized  nations  allows  a  parole  of  honour  to  officers,  but 
not  to  private  sentinels :  as  such  Mr.  Fitzrandolph's  confine- 
ment is  an  usual  matter,  therefore  it  does  not  confer  any 
disgrace  or  hardship  ujion  him,  but  what  was  incident  to 
his  employment ;  his  station  is  allowed  by  yourself  in  the 
claim  you  make  for  mine  and  Col.  Billop's  reh'ase, 

"  I  do  conceive,  sir,  (hat  when  it  was  proposed  that  Col. 
Billop  and  1  should  be  exchanged  I'or  Lt.  Col.  Reynolds,  and 
as  many  privates  as  make  up  the  dilference  of  rank  betwe<Mi 
a  Colonel  and  a  private  sentinel,  that  neither  did  you  or  the 
Council  seriously  imagine  it  could  be  accepted  of. 

"  I  know  of  no  ollicer  in  the  British  army  who,  consistent 
with  his  duty,  could  upply,  or  wish  for,  so  disproportionate 
a  mode  of  exchange  ;  the  proposal  is  ungenerous  to  your 
prisoners,  nor  do  1  conceive  that  your  own  field  oflicers,  or 
those  whom  you  rank  eiiual  with  them,  will  consicU-r  it  as 
intcMided  to  expedite  their  return  from  captivity.  My  state 
of  health  and  expectations  of  returning  to  Euiope,  I  prc- 
23 


282 


APPENDIX. 


%m; 


•kV, 


0..  ' 


kk^ 


■■'.!  ,v  V  ' 

i ,  -t^:; 


■i• 


•.It:    T'ltt     ;. 
'•■  '^J  ■'? 


sumed  might  have  some  little  weight  with  my  enemy,  if  he 
was  a  generous  one  ;  it  never  entered  into  my  thoughts,  that 
these  matters  of  mere  private  concern  could  be  swollen  into 
a  public  one,  or  becoming  such,  could  be  supposed  in  the 
least  particular  to  influence  my  conduct. 

"  The  reputation,  you  are  pleased  to  observe,  that  I  have 
with  the  British  troops,  I  hope  you  will  do  me  the  justice  to 
believe,  it  has  been  my  endeavour  to  acquire  by  doing  my 
duty  to  the  best  of  my  power ;  the  principle  of  which  is 
still  the  same,  whether  I  am  actively  employed  in  the  field, 
or  suffering  an  ungenerous  and  unmerited  confinement  in 
prison.  My  going  to  New  York  would  most  certainly  not 
in  the  least  facilitate  Sir  Henry  Clinton's  acceding  to  a  pro- 
posal, that  was  it  in  his  power  to  agree  to,  it  would  never 
be  in  my  inclination  to  solicit :  the  exchange  I  mentioned 
would,  I  thought,  if  accepted  of,  answer  every  purpose  that 
you  have  held  out  as  your  intentions. 

"  The  indulgence  of  my  parole  to  New  York,  is  what  has 
been  extended  to  Cols.  Reynolds,  Potter,  &c.  your  prisoners, 

"  Agreeable  to  my  duty  I  shall  forward  Major  Andre's 
letter,  and  make  application  to  General  Washington. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be  your  most  obedient  humbh; 
servant,  J.  G.  «1MC0E. 

"  As  soon  as  I  can  find  a  proper  convenience  I  shall,  by 
your  leave,  send  to  procure  winter  clothing,  wine,  &c.  from 
►Staten  Island,  if  I  am  not  permitted  to  go  there." 

Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  had  forwarded  to  Gov.  Livingston  a  pro- 
posal for  exchange  of  prisoners  with  the  state  of  New  Jer- 
sey, although  all  exchange  between  the  British  and  Conti- 
nental troops  was  totally  at  a  stand ;  this  proposal  was 
formed  on  the  usual  principle  of  rank  for  rank,  and  kindly 
permitted  by  Sir  Henry  Clinton  to  expedite  Lt.  Col.  Sim- 
coe's  exchange. 

Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  enclosed  copies  of  the  preceding  letters 


.i    R 


■^  'if 


APPENDIX. 


283 


emy,  if  he 
ughts,  that 
vollen  into 
sed  in  the 

hat  I  have 
e  justice  to 
J  doing  my 
)f  which  is 
in  the  field, 
finement  in 
ertainly  not 
ng  to  a  pro- 
kTOuld  never 
[  mentioned 
purpose  that 

,  is  -what  has 

,ur  prisoners. 

ajor  Andre's 

igton. 

ifiit  humble: 

SIMCOE. 

n  I  shall,  by 
ne,  &c.  from 


igston  a  pro- 
of New  Jer- 

and  Conti- 
roposal  was 
and  kindly 

t.  Col.  Sim- 

-ding  letters 


to  Major  Andre,  and  observed  in  a  letter  to  him,  "  a  few 
evenings  ago  I  was  taken  I'rom  my  bed,  and  moved  into  a 
room  which  had  Deeu  occupied  by  felons  for  months,  and 
placed  among  their  lilth,  and  closely  locked  up  ;  this  was  by 
order  of  jMr.  Read,  Secretary  to  the  Council,  and  at  a  time 
when  the  Governor  held  out  to  me  a  prospect  of  exchange, 
which,  till  that  moment,  I  did  not  suspect  to  be  delusory." 

These  letters  were  sent  unsealed,  to  be  forwarded  by  Gov. 
Livingston. 

The  proposal  Gov.  Livingston  alluded  to,  he  knew  had 
never  been  made  ;  in  pursuance  of  his  plan  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe 
addressed  hims(;lf  to  General  Washington  in  the  following 
letter,  preparatory  to  an  application  which  he  meant,  in  case 
it  should  pass  unnoticed,  to  prefer  to  the  Congress. 

"  To  General  Washington. 

"  Sir, — I  am  induced  to  lay  myself  before  you,  from  what 
I  conceive  to  be  a  principle  of  duty,  and  that  not  merely  per- 
sonal. 

"  You  may,  perhaps,  have  heard,  sir,  of  the  uncommon 
fortune  that  threw  me  into  the  hands  of  the  Jersey  militia. 

"  Gov.  Livingston  told  me  I  was  a  prisoner  of  the  State, 
a  distinction  I  never  till  then  was  acquainted  with,  and  ob- 
served, that  it  was  probable  I  should  be  soon  exchanged  as 
such,  naming  to  me  oflicers  of  similar  rank  as  the  likely 
persons. 

"  I  was  allowed  my  parole,  was  taken  from  it  the  0th,  and 
have  ever  since  been  confined  a  close  prisoner  in  Burlington 
goal,  with  Col.  Billop,  who  is  in  irons  and  chained  to  the 
floor,  to  retaliate  for  F.  Uandoiph  and  Leshier,  the  latter  of 
whom  is  (said  to  be)  conlined  in  the  same  manner  in  New- 
York  :  my  mittimus  hath  not  expressed  what  I  am  imprison- 
ed for  ;  but,  by  the  tenor  of  tlovernor  Livingston's  letters,  I 
suppose  it  is  to  retaliate  for  (he  ibnner  of  those  citizens, 
whom  \w  allows  to  be  a  private  soldier,  and  who  is  simply 
couilned  as  such. 


284 


APPENDIX. 


m^h 


"  Colonel  Billop  joins  mo  in  my  application,  sir,  to  you  for 
rrdrcss  from  our  unparalleled  usage. 

"1  apply  to  you,  sir,  either  as  a  prisoner  of  war,  or  as  ap- 
pealing to  you  from  an  unjustifiable  stretch  of  power  with- 
out precedent  or  generosity. 

"  I  am  led  to  consider  myself  as  a  prisoner  of  war  under 
your  authority,  fiom  Governor  Livingston's  doubts  expressed 
to  me  of  his  having  the  disposal  of  me ;  from  his  corres- 
pondence with  Gen.  Uobertson,  published  in  the  newspapers, 
where  he  submits  Gen.  Dickinson's  jjrisoners  to  your  dispo- 
sal, and  from  Col.  Billop,  my  fellow  prisoner,  being  taken  by 
a  party  of  Continental  troo])s,  receiving  his  parole  from  Mr. 
Beaty,  and  living  under  it,  till  he  was  taken  from  it  by  a 
party  of  militia,  and  by  M.  BoufUnot's  order  confined  in 
Burlington  goal. 

"  He  claims  the  protection  that  was  first  extended  to  him 
from  the  Continental  Commissary  of  prisoners. 

"  I  hope,  sir,  you  will  make  use  of  the  power  that  I  con- 
ceive enabled  you  to  transfer  Col.  Billop  to  the  state  of  New 
Jersey,  in  extending  to  me  the  rights  allowed  by  civilized 
nations,  and  which,  without  a  given  reason,  I  have  been  de- 
prived of. 

"  If,  by  any  law  I  am  luiacquainted  with,  I  am  in  the  pow- 
er and  disposal  of  Governor  Livingston,  &c.,  1  think  myself 
entitled  to  ajjpeal  to  you,  sir,  from  the  injustice  used  towards 
me,  as  I  cannot  sup))ose  there  is  no  application  for  redress 
in  a  case,  which,  if  drawn  into  a  precedent,  must  confound 
every  distinction  of  rank,  and  will  operate  in  a  wider  circle 
than  that  of  the  state  of  New  Jersey. 

"Governor  Livingston  has  ojlered,  as  he  has  written  to 
me,  to  exchange  me.  lor  T^t.  Col.  Reynolds,  and  Col.  Billop 
for  as  many  ])rivates  as  make  up  his  rank,  naming  among 
them  the  people  lor  whom  Col.Billoj)  is  avowedly  retaliating. 

"  This  proposition,  I  conceive,  it  never  was  supposed  Gen. 
8ir  Henry  Clinton  could  comply  with. 

"  1  hope,  sir,  you  will  do  me  the  honour  of  early  attending 


APPENDIX. 


285 


to  you  f(tr 

',  or  as  ap- 
Aver  witli- 

war  under 
i  expressed 

Ins  corres- 
ewspapers, 
your  dispo- 
ijr  taken  by 
ilo  from  Mr. 
rem  it  by  a 

confined  in 

;nded  to  him 

r  that  I  con- 
state of  New 
I  by  civilized 
ave  been  de- 

nin  thepow- 
think  myself 
used  towards 
m  for  redress 
lUst  confound 
wider  circle 

IS  written  to 

■id  Col.  BiUop 

amin}?  among 

y  retaliating. 

upposedGen. 

arly  attending 


to  this  letter ;  if  Col.  Billop  only  should  be  claimed  by  those 
whose  prisoner  he  unquestionably  appears  to  be,  I  should 
look  upon  it  as  a  fortunate  event,  though  I  should  be  doomed 
to  wear  his  ignominious  chains. 

"  I  have  the  honour  to  be,  sir, 

"  Your  most  obedient  and  humble  servant. 
"I  beg  leave  to  enclose   to  you  Major  Andre's   letter, 
though  Governor  Livingston,  to  whom  I  addressed  it,  has 
passed  it  by  without  notice ;  I  hope  it  will  be  the  means  of 
my  obtaining  my  parole  to  New- York." 

General  Washington  never  answered  this  letter,  but  in  a 
very  few  days  Colonels  Billop  and  Simcoe  were  exchanged ; 
and  it  is  to  be  remarked,  that  soon  after  Congress  passed  an 
act,  declaring  that  all  prisoners  whatsoever,  whether  taken 
by  the  Continental  army  or  militia,  should  be  absolutely  at 
the  disposal  of  their  Commander  in  Chief,  General  Wash- 
ington, and  not  of  the  Governors  of  the  different  provinces. 
Col.  Hendrickson,  who  was  in  the  British  Commissary's  pro- 
posals to  be  exchanged  for  Col.  Billop,  and  had  his  parole  to 
give  effect  to  it,  arrived  at  Burlington  on  the  26th  of  De- 
cember, and  brought  the  following  letter  from  Boudinot  to 
Lt.  Col.  Simcoe : 

"Elizabeth  Town,  23d  Dec.  1779. 

"  Sir, — I  am  happy  to  inform  you,  that  there  is  a  proba- 
bility of  your  being  released  from  your  captivity.  As  your 
disagreeable  confinement  was  owing  entirely  to  the  like 
treatment  of  a  number  of  our  field  officers,  prisoners  in 
New  York,  I  doubt  not  you  will  endeavour  to  use  that  infiU'^ 
ence  which  an  officer  of  your  abilities  must  undoubtedly 
have,  to  prevent  the  necessity  of  my  executing  orders  so  re- 
pugnant to  my  feelings  as  a  man. 

"  I  am  confident  your  delicacy  will  be  extremely  wounded 
at  being  called  upon  for  security  for  the  performance  of 
your  parole ;  this,  I  assure  you,  is  not  because  your  honour 
23* 


286 


APPENDIX. 


is  at  all  questioned,  but  to  follow  a  late  cruel  examph',  in  Col. 
Heiulrickson ;  perhaps  when  Mr.  Loring  sees  the  conse- 
quence of  such  conduct,  he  may  be  led  to  adopt  a  practice 
less  destructive  of  every  personal  virtue. 

"  I  have  the  honour  to  be,  &.c. 

"E.  BOUDINOT." 


¥m0t 

!»■'    -  .'.Hi;       ,1 

If  # : 


■  \  '■ 

#; 

;'■ 

".i" 

mm 


M.  Boudinot  does  not  seem  to  have  known  the  distinction 
of  field  officers,  as  none  of  this  description  were  confined  at 
New  York  ;  Mr.  Loring  had  insisted  on  security  from  Ilend- 
rickson,  because  several  of  the  American  militia  oflicers 
had  broken  their  paroles.  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  told  Col.  Hend- 
rickson  that  it  was  absurd  to  suppose  he  could  break  his  pa- 
role in  passing  through  the  J(M'sies  to  Staten  Island ;  but 
that  he  had  no  objection  to  find  surety,  provided  he.  Colonel 
Hendrickson,  would  be  bound  lor  him.  This  officer  went  to 
the  Governor,  and  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  was  emancipated  on  the 
27th  of  December  from  Burlington  goal ;  he  was  still  ap- 
prehensive of  being  detained,  as  it  was  reported  that  thi 
person,  from  whom  the  paper  money  had  been  taken,  (as 
related  in  the  HSth  page,)  had  applied  to  the  Governor  to 
confine  him  till  the  money  was  returned,  he  having  promis- 
ed to  pay  it  at  Brunswick.  The  promise  of  paying  any 
debt,  by  the  laws  of  New  England,  rendered  the  person 
who  gave  it  liable  for  the  payment ;  but  this  custom  had 
never  prevailed  in  the  Jersies.  Lt.  Col.  Siricoe  proceeded 
without  molestation,  and  arrived  at  Richmond  on  the  31st : 
his  arrival  made  a  little  triumph,  and  the  testimonies  of 
friendship  and  affection,  which  he  received  from  his  officers, 
.soldiers,  and  the  loyalists,  compensated  in  a  moment  for  all 
the  anxiety  which  he  had  undergone. 

Many  projects,  he  found,  had  been  in  agitation  to  rescue 
him  from  prison  ;  and,  particularl}',  Lt.  Wilson  had,  by  the 
assistance  of  some  loyalists  of  New  Jersey,  digested  oni', 
which  appeared  so  likely  to  succeed,  that  nothing  but  the 
daily  prospect  which  had  been  held  out  of  his  being  ex- 


APPENDIX. 


287 


'iple  in  Col. 
tlie  conse- 
a  practice 

&c. 
DINOT." 

i  distinction 
I  confined  at 
from  Hend- 
litia  ofliccrs 
i  Col.  Hcnd- 
weak  his  pa- 
Island  ;  but 
d  he,  Colonel 
fticer  went  to 
ipated  on  the 
was  still  ap- 
rted  that  thv 
en  taken,  (as 
L  Governor  to 
aving  promis- 
f  paying  any 
d  the  person 
s  custom  had 
!oe  proceeded 
a  on  the  31st : 
testimonies  of 
)mhis  officers, 
noment  for  all 

ition  to  rescue 
)n  had,  by  the 

digested  one, 
othing  but  the 

his  being  ex- 


changed, had  prevented  Major  Andre,  to  whom  it  had  been 
communicated,  from  adopting  it ;  from  this  design,  that, 
which  is  mentioned  in  the  135th  page,  partly  originated. 

Forty  friends  of  Government  armed  themselves,  and  had 
arrived  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Burlington  the  day  after 
Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  was  exchanged,  for  the  avowed  purpose  of 
rescuing  him  ;  they  came  near  two  hundred  miles,  and  had 
provided  horses  and  a  proper  place  lor  his  retreat.  Their 
leader,  the  Prince  of  the  woods,  so  called  from  his  knowl- 
edge of  them,  which  in  America  are,  as  it  were,  another 
element,  had  sprained  his  leg ;  or  the  rescue  would  have 
taken  place,  as  he  afterwards  told  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe,  ten  days 
before  his  liberation. 

At  the  time  that  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  landed  on  his  incursion, 
a  packet-boat  lay  at  Sandy  Hook  bound  for  England  ;  she 
sailed  the  next  day,  when  it  being  generally  supposed  that 
he  Avas  killed,  the  Commander  in  Chief,  Sir  Henry  Clinton, 
reported  his  death  to  the  Secretary  of  State,  Lord  George 
Germain :  when  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  was  at  Charles  Town,  the 
General  showed  him  the  following  paragraph  in  a  letter 
which  he  had  just  received  from  Lord  George  Germain,  in 
answer  to  the  report  which  had  been  made  of  his  expedi- 
tion and  death : 

"  The  loss  of  so  able  and  gallant  an  officer  as  Colonel 
"  Simcoe  is  much  to  be  lamented  ;  but,  I  hope,  his  misfor- 
"  tune  will  not  damp  the  spirit  of  the  brave  loyalists  he  so 
"  often  led  out  with  success.  His  last  enterprise  was  cer- 
"  tainly  a  very  bold  one  ;  and  I  should  be  glad  he  had  been 
"  in  a  situation  to  be  informed,  that  his  spirited  conduct  was 
"  approved  of  by  the  King." 

Bloxam  made  his  escape  soon  after  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe's  ex- 
change, and,  after  a  variety  of  adventures,  when  he  got  into 
Staten  Island,  that  officer  was  gone  to  Charles  Town.  He 
worked  in  New  York  until  his  return,  when  he  joined  him 
that  very  day  on  which  the  Queen's  Rangers  made  the  ad- 
vance guard  of  General  Matthcws's  column  in  the  Jcrsies  ; 


288 


APPENDIX. 


km- 


and,  at  his  own  request,  being  furnished  with  arms  he  fell  in 
with  the  Queen's  Rangers,  and,  to  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe's  great 
regret,  was  killed  by  a  cannon  .shot  when  the  corps  was  halt- 
ed, and  he  was  sleeping. 

Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  offered  M'Gill  an  annuity,  or  to  make  him 
Quarter-master  of  cavalry ;  the  latter  he  accepted  of,  as  his 
grandfather  had  been  a  Captain  in  King  William's  army ; 
and  no  man  ever  executed  the  office  with  greater  integrity, 
courage  and  conduct. 

In  the  charge  on  Brunswick  Plains,  Hampton,  the  person 
who  is  mentioned  in  page  115,  line  23,  was  taken  prisoner. 

Marrener  was  taken  prisoner  while  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  was 
at  Charles  Town  ;  he  was  obnoxious  to  the  magistrates  of 
New  York,  and  probably  would  not  have  been  exchanged ; 
but  on  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe's  explaining  to  the  Commander  in 
Chief  the  obligations  he  was  under  to  him.  Sir  Henry  Clin- 
ton was  pleased  to  let  him  return  home  on  his  parole. 

Randal,  or  Fitzrandolph,  was  included  in  the  exchange 
with  Lt.  Colonel  Simcoe  ;  he  was  soon  after  killed,  as  ob- 
served in  the  148th  page,  and  probably  by  the  Rangers. 
On  that  day  the  army  passed  Governor  Livingston's  house  ; 
and  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe,  who  commanded  the  rear  guard,  took 
the  most  anxious  pains  to  preserve  it  from  being  burnt  by 
any  of  the  exasperated  loyalists;  and  he  happily  suc- 
ceeded. 


r.',;  .'{ill-;:,! . 

....      X  •'.W,  i  .  • 


Page  130,  line  29.  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  communicated  his  ideas 
to  General  Stirling,  which,  as  appears  by  his  letters  in  the 
appendix,  met  with  his  full  approbation. 

"  3  P.  M.  31st  January,  1780. 

"  Dear  Sir, — I  am  favoured  with  yours  ;  your  ideas  are 
great,  and  would  be  of  importance  if  fulfilled ;  as  I  am  con- 
fident of  your  zeal  and  capacity,  I  r^hould  be  sorry  to  check 
them,  therefore,  if  you  see  it  clearly,  should  not  stop  it. 

"  I  have  no  doubt,  myself,  of  the  rebels  intending  an  at- 
tack ;  but  I  think  they  can  only  do  it  in  one  place,  the  other 


APPENDIX. 


289 


he  fell  in 
e's  great 
wras  halt- 
make  him 
i  of,  as  his 
n's  army ; 
:  integrity, 

the  person 
n  prisoner, 
imcoe  was 
.gistrates  of 
exchanged; 
nmander  in 
Henry  Clin- 
)arole. 
le  exchange 
illed,  as  ob- 
;he  Hangers, 
ston's  house ; 
.  guard,  took 
sing  burnt  by 
happily  suc- 

ited  his  ideas 
fetters  in  the 

jiary,  ^80. 
Lr  ideas  are 
I;  aslamcon- 
T>rry  to  check 
j)t  stop  it. 
Inding  an  at- 
lace,  the  other 


must  be  a  feint.  I  am  much  of  opinion  that  Richmond 
should  be  withdrawn,  as  it  might  fall  if  this  docs,  and  the 
addition  of  your  regiment  would  be  great  to  us  here,  &;c.,&c.' 

Page  130,  line  28.     With  the  preparations  detailed  in  the  ap- 
pendix. 

They  are  sketched  out  in  the  following  letter  transmitted 
to  Gen.  Tryon ;  to  which  arc  added  his  approbation  of  the 
plan,  and  his  good  wishes  towards  the  author  of  it,  now 
rendered  doubly  valuable,  as  since  the  compilation  of  these 
memoirs  death  has  deprived  his  King  and  country  of  that 
officer,  so  eminently  distinguished  for  private  virtues,  and 
for  his  zeal  in  the  public  service. 

"  Sir, — I  beg  leave  to  submit  to  you,  and  hope  that  you 
will  communicate  to  his  Excellency  General  Kniphausen, 
the  service  in  which  I  think  that  the  Queen's  Rangers  may, 
from  their  present  position,  be  essentially  employed. 

"  I  would  propose,  that  I  should  be  immediately  furnished 
with  two  gun-boats  and  twenty  batteaux,  a  water  force  suf- 
ficient to  transport  and  to  cover  the  landing  of  three  hun- 
dred infantry  and  sixty  horse. 

"  The  gun-boats  should  be  supplied  with  swivels,  which 
might  occasionally  be  transferred  to  the  bows  of  the  bat- 
teaux ;  the  small  boat  already  here  with  a  slide  or  carriage, 
on  which  the  amuzette  of  the  Queen's  Rangers  might  be 
mounted  ;  the  whole  should  be  most  completely  equipped, 
in  which  state  I  would  always  be  attentive  to  preserve  them. 

"  I  would  wish  also,  for  a  sloop  to  carry  the  lower  frame 
work  of  three  small  block  houses,  and  occasionally  provi- 
sions, and  other  articles :  she  might  be  under  the  protec- 
tion of  the  vessel  stationed  at  Billop's  point,  as  the  batteaux 
would  under  that  of  Richmond  redoubts. 

"  It  would  be  of  great  service  if  the  batteaux  could  be 
mounted  on  carriages,  as  it  is  but  two  miles  and  an  half 
Irom  Richmond  to  the  South  beach,  and  by  such  conveyance 


890 


APPENDIX. 


•il^>i 


the  advantage  of  either  tide  might  be  obtained  and  a  move- 
ment made,  with  scarce  a  possibility  of  the  enemy's  being 
previously  acquainted  with  it ;  though,  I  lear,  such  an  oper- 
ation is  not  at  present  in  our  power,  I  am  not  without  hopes 
to  be  able  to  furnish  the  means  of  it  from  the  enemy's  shore. 

"  Tlte  block  houses  would  be  of  essential  service  in  se- 
curing an  encampment,  or  strengthening  a  position  on  the 
enemy's  shore ;  they  would  eifectually  protect  a  re-embark- 
ation. 

"  With  this  force,  capable  of  moving  without  the  obstruc- 
tions arising  from  the  combination  of  different  services,  the 
delay  of  waiting  for  orders,  and  the  want  of  secrecy,  which 
necessarily  attends  the  protecting  of  operations,  I  doubt  not 
but  I  should  be  able  to  protect  Staten  Island;  to  keep  the 
enemy  in  constant  alarm  from  Sandy  Hook  to  Newark  bay  ; 
to  force  Mr.  Washington  to  give  up  the  sea  coast  from  Mid- 
dleton  to  Brunswick,  or  to  protect  it  with  Continental  troops; 
to  encourage  desertion  at  this  very  critical  period,  when  the 
rebel  army  is  most  seriously  discontented ;  in  short,  to  ex- 
emplify and  improve  the  advantages  resulting  from  our  sit- 
uation. 

"  Could  more  batteaux  be  spared  I  should  be  glad  ;  the 
cavalry  on  this  island  (the  best  part  of  which  1  consider  the 
detachment  of  the  17tli  dragoons  from  their  superior  disci- 
pline tob(>)  being  in  nund)ers  equal,  and  in  all  other  respects 
superior,  to  the  cavalry  ol  Mr.  Washington's  army  between 
the  Delaware  and  Hudson's  river,  might  from  hence,  Avith- 
out  more  risk  than  becomes  the  service,  be  of  frequent 
and  most  extensive  utility.  CJen.  Stirling  highly  a|)proves 
of  the  plan  ;  there  are  now  at  lii'-hmond  a  gun-boat,  and 
tlie  barge  I  mentioned  to  you  ;  the  latter  1  should  have  sent 
round  by  water  but  had  no  opportunity.  1  do  myself  the 
honour  to  enclose  to  you  the  detieieneies  of  each,  and  should 
be  glad  if  supplied.  I  couid  wish  Major  Bruen  would  be  so 
good  as  to  have  the  barge  valued  hrw  by  some  person  in 
his  department,  and  u  receipt  given  to  the  Refugees,  if  you 


APPENDIX. 


291 


idamove- 
iiy's  being 
•\i  an  oper- 
hont  hopes 
my's  shore, 
vice  in  se- 
lion  on  tlic 
re-enibavk- 

the  obstruc- 

services,  the 

;recy,  which 

i,  1  doubt  not 

to  keep  the 

^fevvark  bay ; 

ist  I'rom  INIitl- 

nental  troops; 

iod,  when  the 
short,  to  ex- 
Ironi  our  sit- 

bo  glad;  the 
I  consider  the 
luperior  disci- 
other  respects 
army  between 
.1  hence,  with- 
of   iVequent 
hly  approves 
Uun-boat,  and 
puUl  hav»'  sent 
ilo  niynelf  the 
ich.  and  should 
|rn  would  be  so 
|)ine  person  in 
ll'ugees,  it'  yo« 


think  proper  to  have  it  purchased.  I  inclose  to  your  Excel- 
lency the  draught  of  the  gun-boats  constructed  by  Lt.  Col. 
Campbell,  at  the  Savannah ;  by  being  covered  at  the  top 
they  were  able  to  pass  without  injury  from  the  fire  of  small 
arms,  under  the  boldest  bluffs ;  th(!  top  opened  occasionally 
for  refreshment  by  means  of  the  hinges,  as  described  in  the 
drawing.  This  addition  made  to  our  gun-boats  would  give 
them  great  security. 

"  If  by  this,  or  any  other  mode  of  operation,  I  could  be  of 
any  service  to  my  King  and  country,  1  should  be  most  happy: 
the  attempt,  I  am  persuaded,  will  meet  with  your  Excel- 
lency's approbation,  which,  as  I  highly  value,  1  shall  ever 
hope  to  deserve,  being,  with  great  n^spect, 

"  your  Excellency's  most  obedient, 

"  and  most  humble  servant, 

".I.  G.  iSlMCOE." 

"  New- York,  3d  May,  1780. 

"Sir, — I  received,  with  much  satisfaction,  your  letter, 
delivered  me  by  Capt.  Beckwith.  jMy  not  having  the  plea- 
sure of  seeing  you  on  your  departure  lor  the  southward,  was 
a  disappointment  to  me.  It  was  nuich  my  desin?  to  hav(! 
testified  my  readiness  to  promote  those  sj)irited  nu^asures 
you  proposed  for  his  Majesty's  service  ;  and,  though  circum- 
stances have  deprived  me  of  that  gratification,  permit  me 
to  assure  you,  I  most  sincerely  wish  you,  in  your  care<>r  of 
glory,  ev(>ry  honourable  success  your  merit,  si)irit,  and  zeal, 
entitle  you  to.  1  am  &c.,  «kc., 

"Lt.Col.  Simcoe."  "W.  TRYON." 

Page   Mr),   line    13.     Lt.  CoJ.   Sinicur  had  at/lrctrd  sccrrthj 
ihroui^h  the  thickih  iipiiii  tlirirJlaiiL 

It  was  at  this  moment  that  a  guide,  as  it  a|)pears  in  the 
proceedings  of  a  court-martial,  in  the  uidinpj)y  (lis|)ute  be- 
tween two  oliicers  of  tlu;  gunnls.  brought  an  order  to  Lt. 
Col.  Simcoe,  "  to  march  into  the  road,"  from  which  (by  the 


292 


> 


APPENDIX. 


•  ■■'■     "!>  ..■■^  •  t*    ■ 


pxtondinp^  of  his  line)  he  was  distant  three  hundred  yards ; 
and  on  his  replying, "  he  could  take  no  orders  irom  a  guide," 
Gen.  Matthews  sent  Col.  Howard  (now  Earl  Suffolk)  to 
repeat  them.  This  note  is  inserted  merely  to  say  that  it  was 
no  pertinacious  adherence  to  form  ;  but  his  being  occupied 
in  the  attempt  to  cut  off  a  party  of  the  enemy,  which  oc- 
casioned Lt.  Col.  Simcoe's  reply  to  the  guide,  and  which,  if 
an  officer  had  brought  the  order,  he  would  at  once  have 
seen  and  reported  to  the  General,  whom  the  intervening 
thickets  pnn'ented  from  the  observation  of  what  was  trans- 
acting on  his  left. 

Page  152,  line  3.  Some  circumstances  relative  to  Major 
Andres  nnfortnnate  attempt  will  he  more  fully  detailed  in 
the  appendix. 

Upon  the  first  intimation  of  Major  Andre's  deti*"'  "T^t. 
Col.  Simcoc,  by  letter,  desired  Lt.  Col.  Crosbie  to  i;  .  i  le 
Commander  in  Chief,  "  that  if  there  was  any  possinuity  of 
"  rescuing  him,  he  and  the  Queen's  Rangers  were  ready  to 
"attempt  it,  not  doubting  to  succeed  in  whatever  a  similar 
"  ibree  could  effect."  At  the  same  time,  he  sent  out  persons  to 
watch  the  road  between  Washington's  camp  and  Philadel- 
phia ;  for  he  reasoned,  that  without  the  concurrence  of  Con- 
gress that  General  would  not  proceed  to  extremities,  and  that 
probably  he  would  send  Mn  jor  Andre  to  Philadelphia,  in 
which  case  he  might  possiI)ly  be  retaken  upon  the  road 
thither. 

Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  wrote  to  Col.  Lee,  of  whose  generous  tem- 
per he  had  personally  received  so  many  proofs,  to  procure 
an  interview  with  him,  ostensibly  for  the  exchange  of  pris- 
oners, but  really  to  converse  with  iiim  relative  to  Major  An- 
dre. That  ofiieer  penetrated  his  vi<'ws  and  returned  the 
following  answer. 


k\A'':^ 


"  r/ight  Camp,  Oct.  2d,  17H(). 
•*  SiH, — 1  will  attend  to  the  release  and  return  of  Jeremiah 
Owens. 


--3-t-isiJ 


APPENDIX. 


Ircd  yards ; 
)m  a  guide," 
Suffolk)  to 
f  that  it  was 
ng  occupied 
r,  which  oc- 
ind  which,  if 
t  once  have 
I  intervening 
it  was  trans- 

iw   to  Major 
u   detailed  in 


deti 


'-t. 


J  toil     .   >    le 
possiDUity  of 
were  ready  to 
[over  a  similar 
out  persons  to 
and  rhiladel- 
irrence  of  Con- 
iiil  ies,  and  that 
iladelphia,  in 
[upon  the  road 

generous  tem- 
lofs,  toprocun- 
Vhange  of  pris- 
le  to  Major  Aii- 
lil  returned  the 


|)ct.  2d,  1780. 
Imof  Jeremiah 


"  Be  assured  no  time  will  be  lost  in  the  transaction  of  this 
business. 

"  Our  personal  feelings  are  perfectly  reciprocal,  and  I  em- 
brace, with  peculiar  pleasure,  the  overture  of  a  meeting. 

"  My  expectation  of  moving  daily,  will  not  allow  me  to 
fix  on  the  time  at  present. 

"  Our  next  station,  I  hope,  will  be  opportune  to  both  of  us, 
when  I  will  do  myself  the  honour  of  notifying  to  you  my 
readiness. 

"  Be  pleased  to  accept  my  best  wishes,  and  for  heaven'jj 
sake  omit  in  future  your  expressions  of  obligations  confer- 
red by  me ;  as  my  knowledge  of  your  character  confirms 
my  assurance,  that  a  similar  visit  of  fortune  to  me,  will 
produce  every  possible  attention  from  you. 

"  I  am  happy  in  telling  you,  that  there  is  a  probability  of 
Major  Andre's  being  restored  to  his  country,  and  the  customs 
of  war  being  fully  satisfied. 

"  I  have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

«  HENRY  LEE. 

"  Since  writing  the  foregoing,  I  find  that  Sir  Henry  Clin- 
ton's offers  have  not  '5ome  up  to  what  was  expected,  and 
that  this  hour  is  fixed  for  the  execution  of  the  sentence. 

"  How  cold  the  friendship  of  those  high  in  power !" 


Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  in  his  answer  said : — 


r 


"  I  am  at  a  loss  to  express  myself  on  the  latter  paragraphs 
of  your  letter  ;  1  have  long  accustomed  myself  to  be  silent, 
or  to  speak  the  language  of  the  heart.  The  useless  murder 
of  M.MJor  Andre  would  almost,  was  it  possible,  annihilate 
that  wish  whieh,  eonsentaneous  to  th(!  ideas  of  our  sove- 
reign, and  the  gov<'niment  of  Clreat  Britain,  has  ever  ope- 
rated on  the  odieers  of  the  British  army,  the  wish  of  a  re- 
conciliation and  speedy  reunion  with  their  revolted  follow 
subject:!  in  America. 

M 


-*    ■. 


294 


APPENDIX. 


"  Sir  Henry  Clinton  has  the  warmest  feelings  for  those 
under  his  command,  and  was  ready  to  have  granted  for 
Major  Andre's  exchange,  whatever  ought  to  have  been 
asked. 

"  Though  every  desire  that  I  had  formed  to  think,  in  some 
instances,  favourably  of  those  who  could  urge,  or  of  him 
who  could  permit  the  murder  of  this  most  virtuous  and  ac- 
complished gentleman,  be  now  totally  eradicated ;  I  must 
still  subscribe  myself  with  great  personal  respect,  sir, 
"  Your  most  obedient  and  obliged  servant, 

"J.  G.  SIMCOE." 


f'M  . . . 

Mm ' 


ITiere  were  no  offers  whatsoever  made  by  Sir  Henry 
Clinton  ;  amongst  some  letters  which  passed  on  this  unfor- 
tunate event,  a  paper  was  slid  in  without  signature,  but  in 
the  hand  writing  of  Hamilton,  Washington's  secretary,  say- 
ing, "  that  the  only  way  to  save  Andre  was  to  give  up  Ar- 
"  nold."  Major  Andre  was  murdered  upon  private  not  pub- 
lic considerations.  It  bore  not  with  it  the  stamp  of  justice  ; 
for  there  was  not  an  officer  in  the  British  army  whose  duty 
it  would  not  have  been,  had  any  of  the  American  Generals 
ofTcred  to  quit  the  service  of  Congress,  to  have  negotiated 
to  receive  them ;  so  that  this  execution  could  not,  by  exam- 
ple, have  prevented  the  repetition  of  the  same  offence. 

It  may  appear,  that  from  liis  change  of  dress,  &c.  he 
cam(!  under  the  description  of  a  spy ;  but  wlu-n  it  shall  be 
considered  "against  his  stipulation,  intfution  and  knowl- 
"edg(!,"  he  became  absolutely  a  prisoner,  and  was  forced  to 
change  his  dress  for  self-preservation,  it  may  safely  b(^  as- 
serted, that  no  European  general  would  on  this  pretext  \m\i', 
had  Ills  blood  upon  his  head,  lie  f(>ll  a  sacrifice  to  that 
which  was  expedient,  not  to  that  which  was  just :  what  was 
supposi'd  to  be  useful  superceded  what  would  hav(!  b«'(ui 
generous ;  and  though,  by  imprudently  carrying  papers 
about  him,  he  gave  a  colour  to  those,  who  endeavounul  to 
suparute  Great  Britain  from  America,  to  press  fur  his  death; 


APPENDIX. 


S05 


for  those 
anted  for 
ave  been 

k,  in  some 
or  of  him 
us  and  ac- 
d ;  1  must 
;,  sir, 

MCOE." 

Sir  Henry 
this  unfor- 
;ure,  but  in 
retary,  say- 
give  up  Ar- 
ite  not  pub- 
p  of  justice; 
whos(^  duty 
an  Generals 
',  negotiated 
,t,  by  exam- 
iffence. 
jess,  &c.  he 
In  it  shall  be 
and  knowl- 
as  forced  to 
|af«'ly  be  as- 
iretext  have 
liiice  to  that 
:  what  was 
have  been 
king  papers 
[(■avoured  to 
br  his  death ; 


yet  an  open  and  elevated  mind  would  have  found  greater 
satisfaction  in  the  obligations  it  might  have  laid  on  the  ar- 
my of  his  opponents,  than  in  carrying  into  execution  a  use- 
less and  unnecessary  vengeance. 

It  has  been  said,  that  not  only  the  French  party  from  their 
customary  policy,  but  Mr.  Washington's  personal  enemies 
urged  him  on,  contrary  to  his  inclinations,  to  render  him  un- 
popular if  he  executed  Major  Andre,  or  suspected  if  he 
pardoned  him. 

In  the  length  of  the  war,  for  what  one  generous  action 
has  Mr.  Washington  been  celebrated  ?  what  honourable 
sentiment  ever  fell  from  his  lips  which  can  invalidate  the 
belief,  that  surrounded  with  difficulties  and  ignorant  in 
whom  to  confide,  he  meanly  sheltered  himself  under  the 
opinions  of  his  officers  and  the  Congress,  in  perpetrating  his 
own  previous  determination  ?  and,  in  perfect  conformity  to 
his  interested  ambition,  which  crowned  with  success  beyond 
human  calculation  in  1783,  to  use  his  own  expression,  "bid 
"  a  last  farewell  to  the  cares  of  office,  and  all  the  employ- 
"ments  of  public  life,''  to  resume  them  at  this  moment 
(1787)  as  President  of  the  American  Convention?  Had 
Sir  Henry  Clinton,  whose  whole  behaviour  in  his  pul)lic 
disappointment,  and  most  nffiicting  of  private  situations, 
united  the  sensibility  of  the  Friend,  with  the  magnanimity 
of  the  General,  had  he  possessed  a  particle  of  the  malignity 
which,  in  this  transaction,  was  exhibited  by  the  American, 
many  of  the  principal  inhabitants  of  Carolina  then  in  con- 
finement, on  the  clearest  proof  for  the  violation  of  th(^  law 
of  nations,  would  have  been  adjudged  to  the  death  they  had 
merited. 

The  papers  which  Congress  published,  relative  to  Major 
Andre's  death,  will  remain  an  eternal  monument  of  tho 
principles  of  that  heroic  otlieer  ;  and,  when  lortune  shall  no 
longer  gloss  over  her  fading  panegyric,  will  enable  posterity 
to  pass  judgment  on  the  character  of  Washington. 


296 


APPENDIX. 


V    ]■: 


Uv 


Lf  Infill,. 


I  I'^'fii^'il- 


Pirn-. 


Page  153,  line  11.  At  this  time  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  recapitulated 
some  of  Ins  ideas  (relative  to  seizing  Billing's  Fort)  by  the 
letter  which  is  in  the  appendix. 

"  The  present  system  of  war  seems  to  aim  principally  at 
striking  at  the  resources  of  the  rebels,  and  in  consequence 
by  incapacitating  them  from  remitting  the  produce  of  their 
country  to  foreign  markets,  to  render  them  a  burden  to  the 
powers  of  Europe  who  are  confederate  with  them  against 
Great  Britain. 

"  A  post  on  the  Delaware  would  be  of  utility  to  this  end ; 
and  the  situation  of  Billing's  Port,  peculiarly  adapted  for 
this  purpose,  strikes  me  so  forcibly  that  I  trust  your  Excel- 
lency will  pardon  my  particularizing  some  of  its  features, 
and  a  few  of  its  many  advantages. 

"  The  ground  is  an  entire  flat ;  it  is  not  commanded ;  the 
rebels  had  begun  a  large  work  there,  which  they  lel't  unfin- 
ished when  Sir  William  Howe  took  possession  of  Philadel- 
phia. On  our  evacuation  of  that  city  Mr.  Mifflin  pointed 
out  to  them  the  necessity  of  resuming  and  completing  the 
fortification ;  the  opening  of  the  chevaux  du  frize  is  made 
close  under  the  bold  blufl^,  which  terminates  the  terre-plein 
towards  the  water :  this,  with  the  other  chevaux  du  frize 
above,  would  be  turned  much  to  our  advantage.  A  sufli- 
cient  water  force  to  prevent  any  shipping  or  gallies  from 
commanding  the  river  above,  and  which  in  some  respect 
should  be  moveable,  would  be  requisite :  perhaps  a  trans- 
port or  two  on  the  establishment  of  the  Margery,  a  trans- 
port of  the  garrison  armed  with  cannonades,  a  few  gallies 
and  gun-boats,  would  accomplish  every  wished  for  end. 

"  The  work  to  be  erected  should  be  calculated  at  least  for 
three  hundred  regular  tro  )ps  to  defend,  to  which  should  be 
added  three  hundred  light  troops,  habituated  to  make  incur- 
sions, &c.  &c. 

"  It  seems  probable  that  an  expedition  will  sooner  or  later 
be  formed  for  Virginia  ;  the  troops  intended  for  this  service 


APPENDIX. 


297 


apitulated 
ort)  by  the 


icipally  at 
nsequence 
ce  of  their 
rden  to  the 
em  against 

to  this  end ; 
idapted  for 
your  Excel- 
Lts  features, 

landed;  the 
;y  left  unfin- 
of  Phitadel- 
fflin  pointed 
npleting  the 
rize  is  made 
e  terre-plein 
LUX  du  frize 
re.    A  suffi- 
gallies  from 
(ome  respect 
vps  a  trans- 
■ry,  a  trans- 
few  gallies 
for  end. 
d  at  least  for 
;h  should  be 
make  incur- 

lonrr  or  later 
this  service 


might  be  landed,  fortify,  and  leave  a  garrison  at  Billing's 
Port  in  a  few  days,  carrying  with  them  frame  works  for 
bomb  proofs,  &.c.  from  New  York,  which  might  be  given 
out  to  be  intended  for  Portsmouth,  or  some  post  in  Virginia. 
The  advantages  resulting  from  the  possession  of  this  port, 
would  be  an  entire  stop  of  the  trade  of  the  Delaware,  pro- 
bably the  driving  the  Con; :  '  ""rom  Philadelphia,  or  by  a 
very  little  exertion  of  polic) .  oeing  in  early  possession  of 
their  most  secret  resolutions  and  intentions ;  it  would  en- 
courage desertion,  particularly  that  of  the  ship-builders  in 
Philadelphia. 

"  To  besiege  this  garrison  while  the  river  is  open  will  bo 
a  matter  of  great  difficulty  ;  the  road  from  Staten  Island  to 
Trenton  being  so  much  nearer  than  a  retreat  from  Bil- 
ling's Port  to  that  pass,  and  the  Delaware  being  almost  eve- 
ry where  too  wide  for  a  bridge  of  boats,  or  for  batteries 
raised  upon  each  shore  effectually  to  command  a  retreat. 
The  place  might  be  invested  by  the  Jersey  militia ;  they  are 
not  numerous,  or  to  be  feared,  and  would  soon  be  disarmed 
by  a  proper  mixture  of  conciliatory  and  vigorous  measures. 

"  The  officer  commanding  the  port  should,  if  it  could  bo 
contrived,  have  the  command  also  of  the  water  forces  ;  at 
least  not  a  boat  should  be  permitted  to  land  without  his  con- 
currence. The  garrison  should  purchase  what  fresh  provi- 
sions might  be  allowed  them,  and  should  never  be  placed  in 
a  situation  to  commit  unmilitary  depredations. 

"  I  doubt  not  but  that  a  thousand  advantages  and  dissid- 
vantages  resulting  from  this  post  must  strike  your  Excellen- 
cy's comprehensive  views,  which  do  not  appear  to  my  partial 
one.  If,  at  any  future  time,  although  I  am  not  willing  to  bo 
wedded  to  a  redoubt,  your  Excellency  should  seize  on  this 
post,  I  should  be  very  ready  to  stake  on  its  defence,  or  its 
loss  from  the  most  inevitable  reasons,  every  hope  that  1  have 
of  military  prefermen',  and  of  being  esteemed  a  faithful  and 
honourable  servant  of  my  King  and  Country." 
24* 


298 


APPENDIX. 


■•r,»M1i.,-.  r 


'•f* 


W'  - 


It  is  probable  that  had  not  circumstances  prevented  Sir 
Henry  Clinton  from  pursuing  the  plan  of  operations  which 
he  had  intended,  in  the  course  of  them  Billing's  Port  would 
have  attracted  his  attention. 

Fage  181,  line  20.  Capt.  StevensorCs  humanity  was  alarmed, 
and  the  letters,  which  are  in  the  appendix,  passed  between 
Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  and  Col.  Parker :  they  prevented  all  fur- 
ther bad  consequences. 

"  Portsmouth,  Sunday,  March  4, 1781. 

"  Sir, — I  do  myself  the  honour  of  enclosing  to  you  Captain 
Stevenson's  justification  of  Mr.  Gregory  in  your  service  ; 
and  am  to  assure  you,  what  the  ties  of  humanity  summon 
me  to  declare,  that  Capt.  Stevenson  mentioned  to  nie,  some 
hours  before  it  was  known  that  the  gun-boat  was  taken,  the 
fictitious  letter  you  found  among  his  papers ;  at  a  distance 
the  matter  appeared  in  a  ludicrous  light ;  as  it  may  other- 
wise probably  lead  to  serious  consequences,  I  solemnly  con- 
firm the  truth  of  Capt.  Stevenson's  explanation  of  the  affair ; 
and  add,  upon  the  sacred  honour  of  a  soldier  and  a  gentle- 
man, that  I  have  no  reason  to  believe  or  suspect  that  Mr. 
Gregory  is  otherwise  than  a  firm  adherent  of  the  French 
King,  and  of  the  Congress. 

"  1  have  the  honour  to  be,  sir,  &lc., 

"  To  Col.  Parker."  "  J.  G.  SIMCOE." 

"Col.  Simcoe, 

"  Sir, — The  honour  of  a  soldier  I  ever  hold  sacred,  and  am 
happy  that  you  are  called  on  by  motives  of  humanity  to 
acquit  General  Gregory.  As  to  my  own  opinion,  I  believe 
you  :  but  as  the  management  of  this  di^licate  matter  is  left 
to  my  superiors,  I  have  forwarded  the  letter  you  honoured  me 
with  to  Baron  Steuben,  who  I  trust  will  view  it  in  tlu;  same 
manner  I  do.        "  I  have  the  honour  to  be,  sir,  &c., 

"March  5, 1781.  "J.  PARKER,  Col." 


3r^ 


APPENDIX. 


209 


jnted  Sir 
,ns  which 
)rt  would 

s  alarmed, 
ed  between 
ed  all  fur- 

4, 1781. 

ou  Captain 
xr  service  ; 
;y  summon 
3  nie,  some 
s  taken,  the 
t  a  distance 
may  other- 
lemnly  con- 
if  the  affair ; 
id  a  gentle- 
let  that  Mr. 
the  French 

&c., 
SIMCOE." 

[red,  and  am 

lumanity  to 

L,  I  believe 

iatter  is  left 

lonourcd  me 

I  in  the  same 

IlKEll,  Col." 


Page  192,  line  13.  General  Phillips  asked  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe, 
when  he  waited  upon  him  to  make  his  report,  how  many  men 
it  would  require  to  defend  York  Town  ? 

This  conversation  is  dwelt  upon  in  the  journal  ia  order  to 
set  in  its  proper  light  a  passage  in  a  letter  from  Sir  Henry 
Clinton  to  Lord  Cornwallis — "  I  confess  I  could  not  conceive 
"  you  would  require  above  four  thousand  in  a  station  where 
"General  Arnold  had  represented  to  me,  (upon  report  of 
"  Colonel  Simcoe,)  that  two  thousand  men  would  be  amply 
«  sufficient." 

General  Arnold  was  second  in  command,  so  that  no  par- 
ticular report  was  made  to  him  ;  but  he  was  present  at  the 
conversation  which  passed  between  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  and 
General  Phillips. 

Page  210,  line  25.     Lt.  Col.  Simcoe,  while  at  Westover,  re- 
ceived a  letter  from  General  Lee. 

"March  3d,  1781. 
"  Dear  Sir, — From  the  liberality  of  mind  which  you  are 
universally  allowed  to  be  blessed  with,  I  have  little  doubt 
but  that  what  I  am  about  to  offer  to  your  consideration  will 
be  favourably  received — but  I  must  first  premise  that,  what- 
soever some  flaming  zealr'^s  in  the  British  army  may  insist 
to  the  contrary,  it  is  very  possible  that  several  who  embark- 
ed on  this  side  in  the  present  contest  were  very  good  English- 
men, and  I  can  venture  to  assert  that  I  am  one  of  this 
stamp — for  I  considered,  that  had  the  Ministry  succeeded 
in  their  scheme  of  establishing  the  principle  of  taxing 
America  without  her  consent,  the  liberties  of  Great  Britain 
would  that  instant  have  been  annihilated  in  effect,  though 
the  form  might  have  remained.  For  as  the  pecuniary  influ- 
ence of  the  Crown  was  already  enormously  too  great,  so  pro- 
digious an  additional  weight  throAvn  into  the  preponderating 
scale  must  sink  to  utter  ruin  every  part  of  the  Empire — on 
the  other  hand  I  will  venture  to  assert,  notwithstanding  all 
that  some  of  the  flaming  fanatics  on  thi  \  side  may  please  to 


300 


APPENDIX. 


't  :^.. 


,iVi>::. 


assume,  that  it  is  the  interest  of  every  good  American  that 
Great  Britain  .should  ever  be  a  great,  powerful,  and  opulent 
nation — but  the  measure  she  ought  to  pursue,  in  my  idea, 
to  obtain  and  secure  this  power,  opulence,  and  greatness,  I 
cannot  at  present  with  propriety  explain ;  but  I  can  whh 
propriety  point  out  some  which  she  ought  not  to  pursue. 
For  instance,  her  Generals  and  Commanders  ought  not  to 
suffer,  or  connive  at  by  impunity,  the  little  dirty  piratical 
plundering  of  individuals — such  proceedings  can  only  tend 
to  widen  the  breach  already,  to  the  misfortune  of  both  par- 
ties, much  too  wide,  by  souring  men's  minds  into  a  state  of 
irreconcilable  resentment :  in  short,  it  is  diametrically  re- 
pugnant, not  only  to  the  honour,  but  to  the  true  interest  and 
policy  of  Great  Britain,  abstracted  from  all  considerations 
of  the  cruelty  and  inhumanity  towards  very  worthy  families. 
But  to  be  just,  I  really  believe  that  most,  if  not  all  of  these 
flagitious  scandalous  acts  are  committed  unknown  to  the 
English  General  and  Commodore,  as  from  the  air  and  garb 
of  the  robbers  they  have  not  the  appearance  of  being  legally 
commissioned.  This,  my  dear  sir,  is  the  main  purpose  of 
my  letter,  which  I  write  as  a  good  Englishman,  as  a  good 
American,  and  as  a  gentleman  addressing  himself  to  another 
of  whom  he  has  a  very  high  opinion  ;  and  I  have  no  doubt 
but  that  you  will  exert  all  your  power  and  influence  to  pun- 
ish and  put  an  end  to  such  abominable  practices. 

"  I  have  nothing  to  add,  but  to  entreat  that  whatever  let- 
ters I  may  send  in  you  Avill  convey  safely  to  my  relations. 
There  is  indeed  one  other  favour  I  request ;  which  is,  that 
you  will  by  the  first  opportunity  assure  Sir  Henry  Clinton, 
General  Robinson,  and  General  Leslie,  of  my  personal  re- 
spect and  esteem,  and  I  beg  you  will  remember  me  kindly 
to  General  Phillips  : — But  above  all,  I  entreat  you  will  be- 
lieve mc  to  be,  most  sincerely  your's, 

"CHARLES  LEE." 


APPENDIX. 


301 


"ican  that 
11(1  opulent 

my  idea, 
reatness,  1 
[  can  with 
to  pursue, 
ofht  not  to 
y  piratical 
ti  only  tend 
if  both  par- 
3  a  state  of 
itrically  re- 
interest  and 
nsiderations 
thy  families. 
;  all  of  these 
mown  to  the 
air  and  garb 
being  legally 
n  purpose  of 
n,  as  a  good 

If  to  another 
|ave  no  doubt 

lence  to  pun- 
les. 

whatever  let- 
ly  relations. 

rhich  is,  that 

Lenry  Clinton, 
personal  rc- 

ler  me  kindly 
you  will  be- 

Les  lee." 


Page  222,  line  5.  In  the  middle  of  the  day  a  patrolefrom  Lt. 
Col.  Tarleton,  who  was  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  Rivana, 
communicated  ivith  him. 

In  Col.  Tarleton's  history  of  the  campaigns  in  the  south- 
ern Provinces,  published  since  the  completion  of  this  Jour- 
nal, there  is  the  following  paragraph  : 


"  If  the  distance  would  have  allowed  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  to 
send  a  small  party  of  huzzars  to  inform  the  corps  at  Char- 
lotteville  of  the  flight  of  the  Americans,  Lt.  Col.  Tarleton 
might  have  been  in  time  to  harrass  Baron  Steuben's  pro- 
gress, whilst  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  would  have  pressed  him  in 
the  rear ;  and  a  combination  of  this  sort  would,  in  all 
probability,  have  ruined  that  body  of  new  levies :  but  the 
distance  of  thirty-five  miles  in  an  enemy's  country,  and  the 
uncertainty  of  Tarleton's  success,  perhaps  represented 
such  a  co-operation  as  too  speculative  and  precarious." 


It  appears  that  Lt.  Col.  Tarleton  marched  from  Charlotte- 
ville  towards  the  Point  of  Fork  nearly  at  the  time  that  Lt. 
Col.  Simcoe  arrived  there  ;  had  that  ofiicer  sent  a  patrole  to 
Lt  Col.  Tarleton,  the  whole  of  the  intelligence  it  could  have 
conveyed  to  him  would  have  been,  that  the  Baron  Steuben, 
with  a  far  more  considerable  force  than  had  been  appre- 
hciided,  had  crossed  a  rapid,  broad,  unfordable  river,  was  in 
possession  of  all  the  boats,  and  encamped  upon  its  banks : 
but  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  most  assuredly  could  not  have  ordered 
Lt.  Col.  Tarleton  immediately  to  join  him,  to  pursue  the 
Baron  with  any  probability  of  success ;  and,  without  an 
absolute  certainty,  he  could  not  have  taken  the  liberty  of 
breaking  through  Earl  Cornwallis's  express  orders  of  re- 
joining him,  without  delay,  at  Goochland  Court-house,  and 
of  marching  away  with  all  his  light  troops  to  a  considera- 
ble distance.  But  there  was  a  total  impossibility  of  pass- 
ing the  river ;  it  was  not  fordable  for  many  miles,  and  the 
combination,  Lt.  Col.  Tarleton  talks  of,  was  absolutely  im- 


■n. 


302 


APPENDIX. 


practicable.  He  observes,  that  the  distance  from  Charlotte- 
viile  was  thirty-five  miles,  which  would  have  been  too  great 
had  the  river  been  fordable  ;  but  the  uncertainty  of  his  suc- 
cess could  be  no  impediment  as,  at  any  rate,  there  was  no 
enemy  to  oppose  him,  and  his  march  was  easily  to  be  trac- 
ed ;  nor  could  these  reasons  "  represent  such  co-operation 
"  as  speculative  and  precarious,"  at  least  to  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe, 
as  the  idea  never  once  entered  his  mind,  and  he  was  much 
surprised  when  he  saw  it  in  Lt.  Col.  Tarleton's  campaigns, 
as  till  then  he  never  had  heard  it  suggested. 

Pnge  230,  line  10.  It  was  reported,  and  not  without  proha- 
bility,  that  a  patrols  of  the  enemy  met  with  this  party  on  the 
road,  where  it  was  natural  to  expect  Lord  Comwallis's  army, 
and  took  it  for  his  advance  guard,  and  that  this  belief  pre- 
vented them  from  reneiving  the  attack. 

In  Lt.  Col.  Tarleton's  history  is  the  following  passage : 
"  The  movement  of  Lt.  Col.  Tarleton  from  his  advance 
"  post  in  the  morning  was  a  favourable  incident  for  the 
"  Americans  ;  for  if  the  legion  foraging  party  under  Capt. 
"  Ogilvie,  who  accidentally  approached  the  flank  of  the  ri- 
"  flemen,  could  produce  hesitation  and  astonishment,  the 
"  charge  of  the  whole  cavalry,  must  have  considerably  as- 
"  sisted  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe,  whose  judicious  conduct  obliged 
"  Col.  Butler  to  fall  back  upon  Gen.  Wayne,  before  the  arri- 
"  val  of  the  infantry  from  Williamsburg,  or  the  dragoons 
"  from  Burrel's ;  the  loss  in  this  affair  was  nearly  equal,  ex- 
"  cept  that  the  British  took  some  prisoners." 

It  is  not  to  be  doubted,  but  that  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  would 
have  been  happy  to  have  been  assisted  by  Lt.  Col.  Tarleton 
and  his  cavalry,  and  would  have  employed  him  to  the  best 
of  his  power ;  but  the  ground  was  such  that  the  cavalry 
could  not  have  been  properly  risked  in  an  attack,  otherwise 
than  what  Capt,  Shank  accomplished,  or  adventured  in  the 
pursuit,  as  the  enemy  fled  through  thick  woods  which  led 
to  a  ravine,  beyond  which  M.  Fayette's  army  drew  up  in  force. 


APPENDIX. 


303 


Dharlotte- 
i  too  great 
of  his  Suc- 
re was  no 
to  be  trac- 
).operation 
ol.  Simcoe, 
was  much 
campaigns, 

kout  proha- 
party  on  the 
mllis's  army, 
•s  belief  pre- 

ng  passage: 
his  advance 
dent  for  the 
under  Capt. 
ink  of  the  ri- 
iishment,  the 
siderably  as- 
Iduct  obliged 
fore  the  arri- 
the  dragoons 
irly  equal,  ex- 

[imcoe  would 
Icol.  Tarlcton 
Im  to  the  best 
the  cavalry 
IcU,  otherwise 
Intured  in  the 
Ids  which  led 
3w  up  in  force. 


The  approach  of  Capt.  Ogilvie  was  not  of  the  least  ser- 
vice to  the  Rangers,  as  it  was  at  too  great  a  distance  to  as- 
sist their  attack  ;  nor  could  any  movement  from  Williams- 
burg have  been  in  time  sufficient  "to  have  preserved  the 
troops  under  Lt.  Col.  Simcop,  who  owed  their  preservation 
as  riuch  to  their  own  exertions  as  if  there  had  not  been 
another  British  soldier  in  Virginia.  Upon  the  first  repulse 
of  the  enemy,  it  was  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe's  bus-iness  to  retire, 
and  this  he  instantly  effeci'd. 

Capt.  Ewald,  who  since  ?he  war  has  published  some  mil- 
itary observations  in  Germany,  has  proposed  to  those  who 
may  be  in  similar  circumstances,  Lt.  Ci. '.  Simcoe's  conduct 
as  a  proper  example  ;  he  afr.rms,  th:>;  had  he  ;ursued  he 
would  have  been  cut  oft". 

Infantry  might  have  been  of  service  in  foi'.  jv/ing  the  en- 
emy through  the  wood,  to  the  brink  -'  f  tlie  ravine. 

Page  248,  line  24.     The  climate,  tlf    'ckly  atate  and  condition 
of  the  corps,  as  more  fully  detu  lii-d  in  the  appendix. 

Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  had  represented  this  to  Sir  Henry  Clinton, 
in  the  following  letter  : 

"  I  do  myself  the  honour  of  writing  to  your  Excellency 
by  the  pre  sent  opportunity,  and  of  making  such  representation 
of  the  Queen's  Rangers  as  I  think  to  be  my  indispensable 
duty.  The  infantry  are  much  reduced  in  immbers  by  de- 
sertion, the  consequence  of  their  composition,  opportunities, 
unremitting  fatigues,  ar''  bv  death  ;  while  those  remaining 
are  much  shattered  in  }•;  ii  *  of  constitution:  the  cavalry  are 
admirably  mounted,  but  more  than  half  are  without  accou- 
trements, or  any  arms,  but  such  as  we  have  taken  irom  an 
ill-appointed  enemy  The  arms  and  accoutrements,  which 
I  apprehend  hnc^  b«  en  intended  for  Capt.  Cooke's  troop,  were 
sent  by  the  Inspector  to  Lord  Cornwallis,  who  gave  them  to 
the  lejrion,  for  whom  he  had  made  the  application.  In  this 
situation,  without  time  to  discipline,  and  without  proper 


304 


APPENDIX. 


1^ 

P 

m 

m 

km'-  ■ 


■111^ 


arms,  I  am  obliged  to  trust  more  to  fortune  than  I  have  ever 
found  necessary,  and  that  against  an  enemy  who  is  improv- 
ing every  day. 

"  My  duty  therefore  leads  me  to  hope,  that,  as  we  have 
been  already  embarked  for  New  York,  that  your  Excellency, 
should  any  troops  be  ordered  there,  will  be  pleased  to  direct 
the  Queen's  Rangers  to  be  sent  among  the  first,  with,  or  if 
that  cannot  be  done,  without  their  horses ;  as  that  is  the  only 
place  where  the  corps  can  be  recruited.  Your  Excellency 
will,  I  am  sure,  be  confident,  that  no  private  view  dictates 
this  application  ;  and  believe,  that  all  climates  and  services, 
where  I  can  be  useful,  are  indifferent  to  me." 

Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  had  been  directed  by  the  Commander  in 
Chief  to  communicate  with  him,  and  to  give  him  such  in- 
formation from  time  to  time  as  he  thought  might  be  for  the 
good  of  the  service,  while  he  was  under  the  command  of 
Gen.  Arnold ;  and  he  had  always  most  strongly  repre- 
sented the  great  importance  of  possessing  r*  small  naval 
force  on  the  Carratuck  inlet,  both  to  secure  !i  retreat  and  to 
connect  the  operations  oi"  Virginia  with  those  of  Carolina : 
he  had  been  an  eye-witness,  that  the  naval  force  stationed 
in  the  Chesapeake  bay,  by  no  means  blocked  it  up,  or  pre- 
vented the  enemy's  vessels  from  going  in  or  out  at  their 
pleasure.     In  this  letter  he  added : — 


"  I  take  this  opportunity  of  enclosing  to  your  Excellency 
two  sketches,  taken  amongst  the  papers  of  the  Marquis  do 
la  Fayette.  The  road  from  Philadelphia  to  Kent  island  is 
accurately  delineated  ;  and,  should  your  Excellency,  as  I 
hope,  visit  Philadelphia  in  your  way  to  this  colony,  points 
out  the  facility  of  crossing  the  isthmus,  and  the  consequence 
of  Kent  Island,  where  1  have  long  thought  a  post  would  be 
of  great  effect,  to  give  an  asylum  to  the  distressed  friends 
of  gov«Tnment,  and  by  the  station  of  a  few  cruis(!rs  effect- 
ually to  block  up  the  Chesapeake,  which  cannot  or  has  not 
hitherto  been  done." 


APPENDIX. 


305 


lave  ever 
5  improv- 

we  have 
itcellency, 
i  to  direct 
vith,  or  if 
is  the  only 
Excellency 
AT  dictates 
id  services, 


imander  in 
m  such  in- 
t  be  for  the 
ommand  of 
ngly  repre- 
imall  naval 
treat  and  to 
f  Carolina : 
;e  stationed 
up,  or  pre- 
.ut  at  their 


I  Excellency 
larquis  dc 
|nt  island  is 
lllency,  as  1 
llony,  points 
Tsonsoqurnce 
Ist  would  bo 
Lsod  friends 
lisrrs  effect- 
It  or  has  not 


It  was  natural  for  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  to  fix  his  mind  on  those 
operations,  which  he  had  reason  to  expect  would  be  under- 
taken on  the  upper  part  of  the  Chesapeake  ;  the  country  of 
the  associated  loyalists. 

This  wish  to  return  to  New  York  was  considerably 
strengthened  by  the  belief,  that  the  sea  voyage  would 
greatly  amend  the  health  of  the  soldiers,  and  by  his  hopes 
that  they  might  be  of  public  utility  in  their  convalescent 
state,  if  the  General  and  Admiral  would  have  consented  to 
have  entrusted  his  friend,  Capt.  Thomas  Graves  and  himself, 
with  a  flying  squadron,  to  have  carried  on  that  mode  of  war 
which  would  have  been  severely  felt  by  the  enemy ;  the 
keeping  their  coasts  in  constant  alarm,  from  Boston  to  Vir- 
ginia, and  the  following  and  destroying  their  shipping  in 
their  innumerable  smaller  harbours.  The  fatal  event  at 
York  Town  terminated  these  views,  and  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe's 
services.  Ills  friend,  Capt.  Thomas  Graves,  was  more  for- 
tunate :  he  was  appointed  to  the  frigate  La  Magicienne, 
which  h(^  manned  at  a  considerable  private  expense  ;  but 
with  a  disinterested  sj)irit  truly  becoming  the  British  ofllcer, 
declined  taking  possession  of  her,  while  in  the  command  of 
a  line  of  battle  ship,  he  thought  he  could  be;  more  useful  to 
his  country,  and  that  honourable  service  was  to  be  met  witli 
in  the  West  Indies  or  America :  and  when  he  accepted  of 
the  frigate,  being  employed  on  convoys,  he  fell  in  with  the 
Sybil  French  Irigate  of  sujjerior  fore«'  to  himself,  doubly 
manned,  and  eonuniinded  by  an  ollicer  of  distinguishtul 
character.  Their  engagement  was  rendered  memorable  by 
their  being  locked  close  to  each  other  for  near  two  hours, 
with  rvfri/  sail  set,  by  the  carnage  onboard  the  British  ship, 
exceeding  what  in  similar  numbers  is  to  hv  met  with  in  the 
aiuials  of  the  late  war,  and  by  tlu'  circumstance,  that  when 
Capt.  Graves  had  silenced  the  lire  of  liis  op|)onent,  the  masts 
of  the  LaMagicieiuie  I'ell  overboard  andfortuni- deprived  him 
of  his  prize  and  of  all.  but  the  glory  of  having  deserved  it. 


306 


APPENDIX. 


Page  250,  /tne  17.  Earl  Cornwallis  in  a  conversation  with 
Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  ashed  him,  "  whether  ho  thought  he  could 
escape  with  the  cavalry  ?  "  he  answered  his  Lordship,^''  with- 
out the  smallest  doubt." 

The  great  outline  which  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  laid  down  as  the 
means  by  which  he  could  escape,  was  to  march  straight  up 
the  country  till  such  time  as  he  had  arrived  parallel  to  the 
fords  of  the  Susquehanna  ;  leaving  it  uncertain  whether  he 
meant  to  proceed  to  Carolina  or  Pennsylvania ;  he  then 
would  have  crossed  towards  the  Susquehanna,  directing  his 
march  so  as  to  endeavour  to  release  the  Convention  army, 
or  to  impress  the  enemy  with  a  belief  that  such  was  his  in- 
tention, if  it  should  appear  impracticable :  when,  being 
above  the  fords  of  the  Delaware,  he  would  have  passed  that 
river,  and  proceeded  towards  Staten  Island  or  New  York  ; 
by  that  route  which  would  have  been  most  feasible. 

For  somf'  time  previous  to  V,iir\  Cornwallis's  (juestion,  Lt. 
Col.  Simco(^  had  formed  the  idea  of  escaping  with  his  cav- 
alry, and  such  men  as  could  have  beer  mounted,  in  short 
the  whole  of  his  corps  ;  and  he  had  ac(; aired  a  most  perfect 
knowledge  of  the  ditferent  fords,  and  I'ormed  ibr  himself  a 
regular  plan.  Capt.  Ewald  saw  him  (•  le  day  looking  over 
Xenophon,  and  imme<'iately  said,  "  My  Colonel,  you  an-  go- 
"  ing  to  retreat ;  for  v\)d's  sake  do  not  leave  the  VagtTsbe- 
"bind  you."  Those  who  are  not  aciir'iiiled  with  the  Ameri- 
can country  and  its  internal  sitiiatio;i,  would  look  upon  such 
an  attempt  as  chimerical;  but  a  con^i^l(■ratlon  of  circum- 
Btnnces  might  alter  their  opinion.  The  whole  of  the  ene- 
my's force  was  concentrated  at  ^'ork  Town  ;  their  cavalry 
consisted  of  the  DuUe  of  Lau/un's  legion,  ill-mounted,  few 
in  numbers,  and  unacMpiainted  wilh  the  country  and  the  ge- 
nius of  the  war;  no  serious  iiiterrii|)tion  or  pursuit  could 
be  expected  from  them  ;  such  a  corps  as  four  or  five  hund- 
red men  were  exactly  calculated  for  the  attempt.  A  single 
plantation  would  have  furnished  them  with  suflicient  pro- 
visions and  forage  ;  the  rapidity  of  their  march  would  pre- 


APPENDIX. 


307 


mtion  with 
it  he  could 
hip,'' with- 

lown  as  the 
straight  up 
allel  to  the 
■whether  he 
ia;  he  then 
directing  his 
[>ntion  army» 
h  was  his  in- 
when,  heing 
e  passed  that 
[.  iVrw  York ; 


(question,  Lt. 
with  his  cav- 
inteci,  in  short 
a  most  perfect 
lor  himself  a 
looUins  over 
Ll,  you  are  go- 
Ithe  Vagersbe- 
itli  t\»e  Ameri- 
jlooU  upon  such 
ion  of  circum- 
1,1,.  of  the  ent- 
their  cavalry 
[-mounted,  few 
jtry  ami  the  ge- 
r  pursuit  eouUl 
Ir  or  Jive  hund- 
mpt.     A  single 
lulVicient  pro- 
rch  would  pre- 


vent any  determined  opposition ;  and,  as  the  party  proceeded, 
horsos  could  be  accumulated  to  remount  those  which  might 
be  disabled. 

The  country  wfis  sufliciently  loyal  to  give  the  best  intelli- 
gence ;  much  could  have  been  procured  by  means  of  the 
negroes,  and  these  ])('ople,  if  properly  managed,  might  have 
been  of  inlinite  service  as  auxiliaries ;  they  are  brave,  ex- 
cellent horsemen,  masters  of  the  sword,  capable  of  fatigue 
and  exertion  in  the  hottest  weather,  and  would  have  been 
trem(>n(lous  in  a  pursuit. 

The  composition  of  th(>  Queen's  Rangers  suited  it  for  any 
enterprise ;  the  huzzars  had  ])(mmi  practised  in  swimming 
their  horses,  and  the  nativ(>  Americans  and  emigrants  were 
expert  in  whatever  might  facilitate  the  passage  of  rivers, 
or  prevent  an  enemy  from  eliecting  it.  There  were  no 
troops  between  New  York  and  Virginia,  and  if  the  militia 
W(M'e  called  out  to  guard  the  princijjal  fords  (as  was  report- 
ed) it  was  with  a  view  to  stop  an  army,  and  not  a  light 
corps,  whose  marcth  would  be  directed  far  above  the  line 
they  were  destined  to  occupy,  and  to  points  with  which  they 
were  unacciuainted. 

P«/f'f'  254,  limi  7.  Ilis  Ltnulship  mis  iilciiscd  to  express  hlin- 
sc/f  J'di'iiiirtihh/  in  rvj^anl  to  the  scheiir;  hut  said  he  coii/d  not 
permit  it  to  lie  undert(il,en,for  that  the  irlio/e  of  the  army 
7nuSi  share  one  fate. 

The  Hangers,  from  tlici  nany  voyages,  on  board  of  half- 
manned  transports,  and  I'rom  li.eir  ollicers  encouraging  them 
to  assist  in  the  working  of  the  vessels,  were  become  so 
ready  and  expert  at  sea,  that  in  a  periodical  production 
wliieh  stated  the  number  »)f  the  troops  taken  at  York  Town, 
it  was  not  surprising  that  tin;  Q,iueu's  Jiangers  weri!  remark- 
ed as,  nil  sailors. 

Upon  (Japt.  Palmer's  success,  Lt.  Col.  Simco(>  had  taken 
the  liberty  of  suggesting,  "that  b>-  fitting  out  all  the  small 
"  craft  as  lire  vessels,  and  driving    lu  i'Vench  ships  from  the 


308 


APPENDIX. 


I'M  li-'i  '■!  ■ 


.'■( 


"  river  in  the  night,  two  thousand  men,  which  the  boats 
"  would  carry,  might  escape  to  the  Maryland  shore :"  his 
Lordship  replied,"  he  saw  no  daylight  in  that  mode  of  escape." 
The  duty  and  consequent  principles  of  a  subordinate  offi- 
cer and  a  commander  in  chief  are  as  different  and  distinct 
as  limited  views  and  universal   ones  can  possibly  make 
them :  the  inferior  officer  has  only  to  perform  any  service  he 
may  be  ordered  on,  and  to  be  ready  for  those  which  are 
most  hazardous,  while   he  commander  in  chief  weighs  the 
propriety  of  any  measure,  sees  it  in  all  its  lights  and  rela- 
tions, and  determines  accordingly  ;  and  the  greater  alacrity 
which  his  troops  show  to  execut(!  his  designs,  the  more  val- 
uable they  become  ;  and  cannot  fail  strongly  to  interest  a 
noble  mind  in  their  preservation:    And  this  principle  Earl 
Cornwallis,  when  he  surrendered  York  Town  to  the  prodi- 
gious superiority  of  force  combined  against  him,  generously 
expressed  in  the  following  terms :  "  Our  numbers  had  been 
"diminished  by  the  enemy's  fire;  but  particularly  by  sick- 
"  ness,  and  the  strength  and  spirits  of  those  in  the  works 
"  were  much  exhausted  by  the  fatigue  of  constant  watching 
"  .and  unremitting  duty.     Ihider  all  these  circumstances,  I 
"  thought  it  would  have  been  wanton  and  inhuman  to  the 
"  last  degree,  to  sacrifice  the  lives  of  this  small  body  of  gal- 
"  lant  soldiers,  who  had  ever  behaved  with  so  much  fidelity 
"  and  courage,  by  exposing  them  to  an  assault,  which,  from 
"  the  numbers  and  precautions  of  the  enemy,  could  not  fail 
"  to  succeed." 

Page  258,  tine  18,     lit.  Col.  Simcnr,  ir/iDsr  r.vcfifinffc  Govcni- 
tiiciil  hdd pnnitird  fiiim  Dr.  Froiililin. 

Lieut.  Col.  Sinieoe  has  always  thought  himself  under  the 
highest  obligations  to  his  Majesty's  Ministers  for  this  mark 
of  attention  ;  the  t(  rms  on  which  he  was  exchanged  are 
here  inserted,  verbatim,  from  Dr.  Trankliu's  discharge  :  "  IJe- 
"ing  informed  by  William  Hodgson,  Ksq.  Chairman  of  the 
•'  Committee  of  Subscribers  I'or  tlm  n-lief  of  American  Pri- 


APPENDIX. 


309 


he  boats 
ore:"  his 
f  escape." 
inate  offi- 
,d  distinct 
bly  make 
service  he. 
,\hich  are 
weighs  the 
1  and  rela- 
er  alacrity 
more  val- 

interest  a 
ciple  Earl 
the  prodi- 
generously 
■■i  had  been 
ly  by  sick- 
the  -works 
t  watching 
mstances,  1 

lan  to  the 
lody  of  gal- 

hioh,  from 
Id  not  fail 


isra  Govern- 


||'  under  the 
this  mark 
Hinged  are 
irge :  "  Ha- 
inan of  the 
ricau  I'vi- 


"  soners  in  England,  of  the  benevolent  and  humane  treat- 
"  ment  lately  received  by  the  said  prisoners  in  consequence 
"  of  orders  from  the  present  British  Ministers ;  and  that  the 
"  said  Ministers  earnestly  desire,  that  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe,  a  pri- 
"  soner  on  parole  to  the  United  States  of  America,  should 
*'  be  released  from  his  said  parole ;  and  being  further  of 
"  opinion,  that  meeting  the  British  Government  in  acts  of  be- 
"  nevolence,  is  agreeable  to  the  disposition  and  intention  of 
"  the  Congress :  I  do  hereby,  as  far  as  in  my  power  may  lie, 
"  absolve  the  parole  of  the  said  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  ;  but  on  this 
"  condition,  that  an  order  be  obtained  for  the  discharge  of 
"  some  officer  of  equal  rank,  who  being  a  prisoner  to  the 
"  English  in  America,  shall  be  named  by  the  Congress,  or 
"  by  Gen.  Washington  for  that  purpose,  and  that  three  co- 
"  pies  of  such  order  be  transmitted  to  me.  Given  at  Passy, 
"this  14th  of  .January,  1783.  B.FRANKLIN, 

"  Minister  Plenipotentiary  from  the  United  States  of 
"  America  at  the  Court  of  France." 

This  seems  a  proper  place  to  relate,  that  Captain  Agnew 
of  the  QuecMi's  Rangers,  who  had  been  so  severely  wounded 
at  the  battle  of  Brandywim*,  as  to  render  him  unable  to  un- 
dergo the  duties  of  the  corps  in  the  lield,  had  embarked  for 
Virginia,  of  which  he  was  a  native  at  the  time  General  Les- 
lie went  to  that  province  ; — his  father,  Mr.  Agnew,  Cha|)laiii 
of  the  Queen's  Rangers,  Captains  Parker  and  Blair,  loyal- 
ists, who  had  joined  ICarl  Dunmore  on  tlie  first  revolt  ol"  Vir- 
ginia, and  other  gentlemen,  sailed  on  th(^  same  ex|)e(lition. 
They  followed  th(^  movements  of  Gen.  Leslie  into  Carolina  ; 
and.  Gen.  Arnold  having  taken  possession  of  Portsmouth, 
were  returning  to  that  place  on  board  of  the  Romulus,  when 
that  ship  was  captured  i)y  a  I'rench  s(|uadr()n. 

The  following  letters  will  exp"'iin  their  consecjuent  situa- 
tion ;  and  exemplify  some  of  those  acts  of  benevolence 
agreeable  to  the  int<'ntion  and  disposition  of  1  he.  Congress, 
as  mentioned  l)y  Dr.  Franklin  in  his  preceding  letter : 

a5* 


310 


APPENDIX. 


mm 


■'v-r'T;.,"-  • 

t:%'  ■■■■ 


■  l&h. 


& 


v.^-. 


"  Dear  Sir, — Fortune,  I  trust,  at  last  has  put  it  in  my  pow- 
er to  inform  you  of  our  unhappy  and  wretched  captivity. 
You  may  rememher  Gen.  "Washington's  visit  to  the  French 
fleet ;  it  is  from  that  period  I  date  the  commencement  of  our 
misfortunes  last  spring ;  when,  being  informed  of  the  pri- 
soners taken  in  the  Romulus,  a  distinction  was  made  be- 
tween the  gentlemen  of  the  ship,  and  the  officers  passengers 
for  the  army  in  Virginia,  viz.  Captains  James  Parker,  Blair, 
Agnew,  my  father,  and  Mr.  Cramond.  Some  of  the  above 
gentlemen  were  formerly  his  old  acquaintances.  From  the 
knowledge  these  gentlemen  had  of  the  colony,  and  the 
French  and  American  operations  being  so  soon  to  take  place 
there,  Mr.  Washington's  conduct  can  be  easily  accounted 
for ;  as  a  demand  was  soon  after  made  of  us,  which  we 
were  informed  of  by  Congress.  The  French,  either  think- 
ing it  improper  to  give  up  their  prisoners  to  the  Americans, 
or  having  other  views  relative  to  us,  refused  the  demand  ; 
but  at  the  same  time  consented  to  treat  us  in  the  manner  I 
am  to  inform  you  of.  We  were  immediately  separated  from 
our  friends,  and  embarked  on  board  the  frigate  La  Ilermi- 
one,  (as  we  understood,)  for  France ;  having  a  letter  from 
the  Major  d'Escadre,  intbrining  us  we  should  be  sent  to 
France.  The  Ilermione,  on  the  contrarj-,  was  bound  to 
Boston,  where  we  soon  after  arrived,  and  w<'re  re-embarked 
on  board  La  Concorde,  still  thinking  ourselves  on  our  way 
to  France ;  but,  to  our  great  surprise,  soon  learnt  that  the 
ship  was  for  St.  Domingo,  and  that  we  were  to  be  confined 
there.  We  arrived  the  0th  of  .July ;  a  room  in  the  common 
prison  was  j)repar('d  for  us ;  but,  by  the  humanity  of  the 
Captain  of  i\w  La  Concorde,  we  were  prevented  going  to 
the  prison,  and  were  shut  up  in  an  hospital,  in  hot  cells,  near 
four  months.  As  the  French  and  American  operations  took 
place  in  Virginia,  so  the  tiiiM;  of  our  deliverance  ap|)roach- 
ed;  and  w(^  were  (lo  fuKil  the  Major's  letter)  embarked  on 
board  of  different  shi|)s,  armed  en  Flute,  for  France,  the  23d 
of  October.    Our  passage  was  dismal.     L'lJnion,  a  04  gun 


mi 


APPENDIX. 


311 


ship,  on  board  of  which  was  Capt.  Parker,  foundered  at  sea, 
the  crew  being  happily  saved.  La  Sensible,  in  which  was 
Mr.  Blair,  has  never  been  heard  of  since  ;  the  ship,  on  board 
of  which  were  my  father  and  myself,  having  lost  the  use  of 
her  rudder  in  a  storm,  lay  a  wreck  twenty-four  hours.  How- 
ever, sir,  we  have  escaped  all,  to  be  more  barbarously  treat- 
ed in  France.  The  6th  of  December  we  arrived  at  Brest ; 
we  were  landed,  and  immediately  carried  to  a  place  of  con- 
finement, where  we  found  two  officers  of  the  8Gth,  of  the 
Tobago  capitulation.  Brest  not  being  a  place  for  keeping 
prisoners,  and  the  Commandant,  probably  not  knowing  of 
Mr.  Blair's  absence,  sent  the  next  morning  an  order  to  con- 
duct the  live  officers  from  St.  Domingo  to  Dinant  Castle. 
The  order  being  indiscriminate,  and  the  two  Tobago  gen- 
tlemen coming  in  the  same  fleet,  they  were  i  istantly  taken 
and  carried  off  with  Capt.  Parker,  my  father,  and  self,  to 
Dinant.  Whether  this  is  a  mistake  at  Brest,  or  not,  I  can- 
not know ;  for,  as  the  original  reason  for  treating  us  five 
with  such  severity  cannot  now  exist,  and  having  heard  we 
were  regarded  as  hostages  for  French  officers,  that  were,  or 
had  been,  in  the  hands  of  Admiral  Arbuthnot,  our  present 
misfortunes  may  arise  from  other  causes  than  the  primitive, 
as  we  are  now  actually  regarded  as  prisoners  of  state  to 
France  :  the  above,  whether  intentional  or  accidental,  had 
one  happy  tendency,  which  is  that  Mr.  Cramond  I  hope,  Is, 
in  England.  We  were  put  into  a  large  vault  or  dungeon 
in  Dinant  Castle,  where  we  remained  in  the  most  wretched 
situation,  until  we  found  means  to  acquaint  the  Command- 
ant of  Bretagne  of  our  situation,  who  has  been  humane 
enough,  for  such  1  must  call  it,  to  remove  us  to  St.  Maloes 
Castle,  where  we  now  are,  shut  close  up  as  prisoners  of 
state  ;  having  seen  the  orders  sent  to  the  Count  De  Guion 
for  that  purpose.  I  am  afraid  there  is  some  secret  reason 
for  our  treatment,  that  I  cannot  divine  ;  for  no  nation,  I  be- 
lieve, admires  the  virtue  of  loyalty  and  firmness  more  than 
the  French.    I  am  indebted  to  stratagem  for  the  convey- 


312 


APPENDIX. 


ance  of  this ;  by  the  same  means,  I  have  written  to  the  Mi- 
nister, being  deprived  of  pen,  ink,  and  paper,  and  probably 
may  not  have  another  chance  ;  I  trust,  should  my  letter  to 
Lord  George  Germain  miscarry,  that  Col.  Simcoe  will  use 
those  means  his  judgment  will  best  point  out  to  inform  our 
friends  at  home  of  our  situation. 

"  Suffer  me.  Col.  Simcoe,  to  recommend  to  your  humane 
and  tender  sensibility  an  aged  and  beloved  parent :  that, 
should  she  stand  in  need  of  your  kind  attention  or  advice, 
she  may  always  have  it  in  her  power  to  have  recourse  to  a 
friend ! — But  oh  God !  who  knows,  perhaps  she  at  this  mo- 
ment, from  an  independent  affluence,  is  reduced,  by  the 
vicissitudes  of  the  times,  to  penury ! — My  heart,  afflicted 

with  the  misfortunes  of  our  family,  can  no  more 

«  Your's,  &c.,        "  STAIR  AGNEW." 

"  St.  Maloes  Castle,  26th  Feb.  1782." 


r..^ 


"  Caen,  20th  August,  1782. 

"  My  Dear  Colonkl, — Apprehensive  my  letters  do  not 
reach  you,  as  I  have  never  had  the  honour  of  hearing  from 
you  since  in  France,  and  now  having  a  private  opportunity, 
I  srnd  you  in  part  duplicates  of  those  letters  which  I  have 
wrote  you,  and  which  will  best  tend  to  inform  you  of  our 
situation.  Your  being  in  England  is  a  circumstance  the 
most  happy  for  us,  being  convinced  at  last  we  have  a  friend. 
I  hope  this  will  not  be  subjected  to  any  inspection,  and  con- 
sequently shall  endeavour  to  be  as  particular  to  you  as  pos- 
sible, relative  to  our  present  situation. 

"  It  is  to  the  Duke  of  Ilarcourt,  Governor  of  the  province 
of  Normandy,  we  arc  indebted  for  our  parole  here,  and  the 
present  indulgences  we  enjoy ;  hearing  of  our  situation  in 
the  castle  of  St.  Maloes,  the  victims  of  policy,  he  most 
readily  interested  himself  with  the  Minister  in  our  behalf, 
and  through  his  remarkable  attention  and  politeness  has 
much  alleviated  our  misfortunes.  He  has  not  been  less  as- 
siduous in  endeavouring  to  exchange  us ;  but  alas !  his 


APPE>fmX. 


313 


powers  arc  not  equal  to  his  good  inclination.  Le  Marquis 
tie  Castries  has  referred  him  to  the  American  Minister, 
and  has  informed  him  it  was  at  the  instance  of  America 
Ave  were  detained  in  France.  I  have  the  honour  of  trans- 
mitting to  you  the  letter  of  Mr.  Franklin  in  answer  to  the 
Marquis  de  Castries  on  this  subject. 

"Passy,2d  April,  1782. 
"  I  have  received  the  letter  your  Excellency  did  me  the 
honour  of  writing  to  me,  relating  to  Messrs.  Agnew,  father 
and  son,  and  Capt.  Parker,  Englishmen,  prisoners  taken  in 
America,  and  brought  to  France.  I  know  nothing  of  those 
persons*,  or  of  the  circumstances  that  might  induce  the  Del- 
egates of  Virginia  to  desire  their  detention,  no  account  of 
them  from  that  state  being  come  to  my  hands,  nor  have  I 
received  any  orders  or  instructions  from  the  Congress  con- 
cerning them.  I  therefore  cannot  properly  make  any  oppo- 
sition to  their  being  permitted  to  reside  at  Caen  on  their 
parole  of  honour,  or  to  their  being  exchanged  in  pursuance 
of  thu  carlfl,  us  his  Majesty  in  liis  wisduiii  shall  think 
proper.     I  am,  sir,  &c., 

"Signed,        "  BENJAMIN  FRANKLIN." 

"  From  this  letter  we  readily  conclu''°f'  that  every  obsta- 
cle was  removed ;  and  in  consequence  the  Duke  of  Har- 
court  wrote  to  M.  de  Castries  requesting  our  exchange,  that 
we  might,  as  British  officers,  benefit  ourselves  of  the  cartel 
established  between  the  two  nations  for  that  express  purpose. 

"  The  Duke  has  shown  me  the  answer  of  M.  de  Castries 
to  this  last  letter,  and  from  which  it  appears  determined  to 
ke(>p  us  in  France.  He  tells  him,  "Qu'il  ne  lui  est  pas  possible 
"  d'y  condescendre,  parceque  M.  de  la  Luzerne  a  maiide  a 
"  M.  de  llochambault  que  le  Congres  desiroit  qu'ils  ne  fussent 
"  pas  echangei,  comme  etant  des  Terries  dangereux  dans  le 
"Sud,  o'u  ils  servoient  trop  bien  leur  Patrie." 

"  Such  is  our  situation  at  present,  my  dear  Colonel ;  nor 
have  we  a  hope  of  relief,  but  in  our  country,  and  your  kind 


314 


APPENDIX. 


• 

I 
) 

'*>* 

f 

1  •         t 

h 

1 

•<1? 
•t'.^ 


Pf- 


I  '11 


endeavours  ;  if  we  are  not  demanded,  here  we  vemain  dur- 
ing the  war  !  Heavens  !  what  a  succesoion  of  melancholy 
vicissitudes !  I  have  an  aged  parent  at  New  York,  who, 
totally  dependent  on  the  endeavours  o '  her  husband  and  an 
only  son,  perhaps,  from  a  genteel  aflluence,  at  this  moment 
is  reduced  to  want !  Oh  God  !  what  do  I  say  ?  perhaps  she 
is  no  more  !  Such  are  the  misfortunes  attendant  on  civil 
war;  and  shall  we,  my  dear  Colonel,  w!io  have  sacrificed 
all  but  a  natural  and  unalienable  allegiance,  shall  we  not 
find  friends  who  dare  reclaim  us  ?  who  dare  insist  on  our 
exchange  ?  For  what  is  there  a  cartel  between  the  two 
nations  ?  Are  we  not  British  oflicers  ?  Are  we  not  French 
prisoners  ?  I  ever  apprehended  that  the  meanest  servant  was 
entitled  to  the  protection  of  the  state  he  served;  and  shall 
France,  at  the  instance  of  America,  shut  up  his  Majesty's 
subjects  in  her  dungeons  and  castles  with  impunity  1  No  ! 
should  this  happily  reach  you,  I  trust  such  measures  will  be 
adopted  as  to  efl^ect  our  exchnnge  agreeable  to  the  cartel. 
Surely  there  are  French  oflicers  enough  in  England. 

"  1  ours,  C>:,e.,         "  STAIK  AGNEW." 

Lord  George  Germain  had  applied  to  the  French  Ministry 
for  the  release  of  these  oflicers,  previous  to  the  arrival  of 
Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  in  England,  but  with  little  effect ;  applica- 
tion was  made  to  the  succeeding  Secretaries  of  State,  On 
the  approach  of  peace  1  hey  were  exchanged :  it  is  most 
probable  had  the  war  continued  they  would  have  remained 
prisoners ;  so  faithfully  did  the  Ministers  of  France  serve 
the  American  Congress,  and  maintain  the  character  which 
that  kingdom  has  acquired  for  ages,  of  trampling  upon  every 
tic  of  humanity  which  interl'eres  Avith  her  policy  ! 

The  Duke  de  Lauzun  politely  ofl^ered  to  procure  Lt.  Col. 
Simcoe  a  passage  in  the  frigate  he  was  to  proceed  with  to 
France  :  ho  received  many  civilities  from  the  American  of- 
ficers to  whom  he  had  been  opposed,  and  Col.  Lee,  by  visit- 
ing him,  afforded  him  an  opportunity  of  personally  acknowl- 


APPENDIX- 


SIS 


■main  dur- 
(lelancholy 
fork,  who, 
md  and  an 
lis  moment 
)cn"haps  she 
nt  on  civil 

>  sacrificed 
all  we  not 
sist  on  our 
en  the  two 
1  not  French 
servant  was 

;  and  shall 
IS  Majesty's 
mity?  No! 
sures  will  be 

►  the  cartel, 
land. 

iich  Ministry 
10  arrival  of 
ct ;  applica- 
8tate,  On 
it  is  most 
•e  remained 
ranee  serve 
■acter  which 
;>;  upon  every 

;ure  Lt.  Col. 
ecd  with  to 
American  of- 
,ce,  by  visit- 
lly  acknowl- 


edging the  obligation  he  had  been  under  to  that  officer. 
General  O'Harahad  kindly  interested  himself  in  explaining 
to  Earl  Cornwallis  how  necessary  it  was  for  him  immedi- 
ately to  proceed  to  New  York  ;  and  Baron  Steuben  desired 
to  procure,  through  Gen.  Washington,  a  passage  for  him  in 
the  French  frigate  ready  to  sail  for  Europe.  Lt.  Col.  S'Ti- 
coe  had  asked  Lt.  Spencer  to  acknowledge  his  sense  of  the 
Baron's  civilities,  and  in  some  trifling  points  to  request  his 
interference ;  that  officer  had  a  long  conversation  with 
Baron  Steuben,  who  told  him  that  he  had  heard  of  Lt.  Col. 
Tarleton's  march  to  Charlotteville,  but  not  of  Lt.  Col.  Sim- 
coe's  to  the  Point  of  Fork,  and  that  he  took  his  corps  for 
Earl  Cornwallis's  army.  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  has  often  had  oc- 
casion to  mention  some  of  the  many  instances  of  Lt.  Spen- 
cer's military  talents;  and  the  following  anecdote  will  evince 
the  heroic  spirit  with  which  he  was  animated,  and  on  that 
account  be  acceptable  to  the  readers  of  this  journal. 

At  the  conclusion  of  the  American  war,  and  previous  to 
the  evacuation  of  New  York  by  the  King's  troops,  Lieut. 
Spencer  of  the  Queen's  Rangers,  (who  was  then  at  Phila- 
delphia,) received  a  letter  from  Major  Hanger  of  the  British 
legion,  informing  him,  that  Lieut.  IL  Paymaster  of  that  reg- 
iment had  absconded ;  that  he  had  taken  with  him  five 
standards  which  that  regiment  had  in  different  actions 
seized  from  the  enemy,  and  that  he  was  supposed  to  be  in 
Philadelphia.  The  Major  was  pleased  to  pass  some  com- 
pliments on  Lt.  Spencer,  expressive  of  the  idea  he  enter- 
tained of  his  integrity  and  zeal  for  the  service,  he  desired 
him  to  go  to  Mr.  H.  well  armed,  and  to  force  him  at  any 
rate  to  deliver  up  the  trophies  :  indeed  he  said  "  I  am  at 
"  ease  ;  for  I  am  sure  nothing  but  the  loss  of  your  life  in  the 
"  attempt,  can  prevent  you  getting  them." 

At  seven  in  the  evening  Lt.  Spencer  received  the  Major's 
letter ;  without  losing  a  moment  he  put  a  pair  of  pistols  in 
his  pockets,  went  to  the  sign  of  the  Indian  Queen,  where 
he  learnt  Mr.  H.  quartered,  enquired  for  his  room,  and  was 


316 


APl'ENDIX. 


'^U:> 


1 


"  m 


f;v- 


told  by  one  of  the  servants  that  he  lodged  in  such  a  num- 
ber, and  was  at  home ;  he  went  up,  but  Mr.  H.  was  not 
there ;  he  took  the  liberty  however  of  opening  a  small 
trunk  he  saw  in  the  room  ;  he  found  the  standards,  took  off 
his  coat,  waistcoat  and  shirt,  wrapped  them  round  his  body, 
slit  uji  his  waistcoat  behind,  that  he  might  button  it.  &c. 
came  out  of  the  house  and  went  to  the  inn,  from  which  the 
vehicle  set  off  for  New  York,  M-hich  it  did  that  night  at  8 
o'clock ;  and  the  next  day  he  delivered  the  standards  to  the 
Major  in  New  York,  Avho  received  them  with  singular 
marks  of  joy  and  proper  acknowledgments. 

On  his  road  to  New  York,  at  Brunswick,  Lt.  Spencer  was 
insulted  by  some  of  the  inhabitants  ;  they  knew  him  by  his 
uniform  to  be  one  of  Ac  cavalry  of  the  Queen's  Rangers  ; 
of  course  concluded  that  he  was  one  of  those  who  had  at- 
tended Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  in  his  alert  at  the  time  that  gentle- 
man was  taken  prisoner.  A  singular  dislike  of  the  Queen's 
Rangers  had  been  occasioned  by  the  frequent  incursions  that 
corps  had  made  into  the  Jersies,  and  particularly  by  the 
death  of  Capt.  Vorhees,  who  was  killed  on  the  return  of  the 
party  under  the  command  of  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe :  he  was  an 
inhabitant  of  Brunswick,  and  Mas  to  have  been  married  the 
day  after,  if  his  death  had  not  happened. 

The  populace  assembled  (during  dinner)  round  the  house, 
hissing  and  hooting  ;  and  had  it  not  been  for  the  interposi- 
tion of  some  American  officers,  passengers  in  the  same  wag- 
gon, it  is  likely  they  might  have  proceeded  to  violent  meas- 
ures had  they  laid  hands  on  Mr.  Spencer,  and  found  the  col- 
ours as  described  in  his  possession  :  those,  only,  who  are  ac- 
quainted with  the  vindictive  spirit  of  the  Jersey  people  can 
know  the  fatal  consequences. 

Lt.  Spencer  returned  immediately  to  Philadelphia  on  pur- 
pose to  give  INIr.  H.  every  satisfaction  he  might  require  ; 
Mr.  n.  waited  on  him  and  desired  immediate  redress  ;  Mr. 
S.  expostulated  with  him  on  the  impropriety  of  his  conduct ; 
the  hour  was  appointed  for  the  meeting,  but  Mr.  H.  cooled, 
was  sorry  for  what  he  had  done,  and  here  the  matter  ended. 


APPENDIX. 


317 


a  num- 
was  not 

a  small 
,  took  off 
his  body, 
n  it,  &c. 
which  the 
light  at  8 
irds  to  the 

singular 

encer  was 
him  by  his 

Hangers ; 
ho  had  at- 
lat  gentle- 
he  Queen's 
irsions  that 
irly  by  the 
?turn  of  the 
he  was  an 

larried  the 

1  the  house, 
interposi- 
[same  wag- 
)lent  meas- 
md  the  col- 
Ivho  are  ac- 
people  can 

Lhia  on  pur- 
jit  require  ; 
Idress;  Mr. 
lis  conduct ; 
II.  cooled, 
Ltter  ended. 


The  following  letters  will  conclude  this  appendix ;  they 
were  sent  to  Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  soon  after  the  preliminaries  of 
the  peace  were  divulged  in  America.  The  former  was 
written  by  one  of  the  principal  of  the  associated  loyalists 
on  the  upper  parts  of  the  Chesapeake,  and  transmitted  to 
Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  by  Mr.  C.  Sowers,  a  loyalist  of  Pennsylva- 
nia. It  is  more  easy  for  the  reader  to  imagine  than  it  is  for 
him  to  describe  the  pleasure  he  has  received  from  these 
honourable  testimonies. 

"  I  have  the  honour  in  behalf  of  the  deputies  of  the  as- 
sociated loyalists  in  Pennsylvania,  Maryland,  and  the  lower 
counties  on  Delaware,  by  their  particular  direction,  and  be- 
ing fully  authorised  by  them  for  that  purpose,  now  to  express 
to  you  the  high  sense  they  entertain  of  your  political  and 
military  conduct  during  the  late  rebellion  in  America.  They 
are  at  a  loss  whether  most  to  admire  your  activity  and  gal- 
lantry in  the  field,  or  your  generous  and  affectionate  attach- 
ment to  his  Majesty's  loyal  subjects  in  America,  and  your 
unwearied  exertions  as  well  to  promote  their  true  interest, 
as  to  preserve  and  protect  their  property. 

"  As  they  have  with  pleasure  and  satisfaction  hv.d  frequent 
opportunities  of  seeing  your  arms  crowned  with  success,  so 
have  they  as  often  experienced  the  marks  of  your  favour, 
attention  and  protection ;  these  acts  have  endeared  you  to 
them,  and  claim  their  warmest  gratitude. 

"  Your  particular  countenance  to  and  zeal  for  the  associ- 
ated loyalists,  and  your  ready  concurrence  in  the  measures 
proposed  for  their  relief,  and  kind  solicitations  in  their  be- 
half, have  made  an  impression  on  their  minds,  words  cannot 
express  and  time  only  can  erase ;  and  they  have  exceed- 
ingly to  regret  that  the  opportunity  was  not  afforded  them 
of  evincing  to  the  world,  under  your  command,  the  sincerity 
of  their  professions  and  tbeir  attachment  to  their  sovereign. 

"  They  would  deem  themselves  culpable  if  they  did  not 
take  this  opportunity  to  mention  that  your  abhorrence  of  the 
26 


818 


APPENDIX. 


pillage  that  too  generally  took  place  in  this  country,  and  the 
success  that  attended  your  vigilant  exertions  to  prevent  it, 
have  marked  your  character,  and  insured  to  you  the  esteem 
of  all  orders  and  ranks  of  good  men. 

"  Your  sudden  and  unexpected  departure  from  America 
prevented  their  paying  this  tribute  of  respect  to  you  person- 
ally, which  they  entreat  you  now  to  accept,  and  that  you 
will  he  assured  that  under  all  changes  and  circumstances 
your  name  will  be  dear  to  them,  and  that  their  wishes  and 
prayers  will  always  be  for  your  prosperity  and  happiness." 


fi.  i  , 


"Huntingdon,  July  1st,  1783. 

"  When  we  reflect  on  your  military  conduct  in  the  course 
of  this  war,  we,  in  common  with  others  acquainted  with  its 
occurrences,  cannot  withhold  our  admiration  and  respect. 
But,  when  you  rise  to  our  minds  in  the  relation  in  which 
you  stand  with  us,  and  we  view  you  as  our  leader  and  com- 
panion, who  not  only  has  pointed  out  to  us  the  road  to  mili- 
tary reputation,  but  has  shared  in  common  with  us  its  dan- 
gers and  hardships  ;  when  w(!  find,  that  the  whole  tenor  of 
youi  conduct  demonstrates  the  most  friendly  disposition  and 
attachment  to  our  interests,  which,  in  a  particular  manner, 
you  have  evinced  by  your  unremitted  assiduity  and  zeal,  in 
making  known  and  preferring  our  pretensions  to  our  {Sove- 
reign, which  has  obtained  for  us  the  most  gracious  marks 
of  his  approbation,  and  the  most  honourable  reward  for  our 
services :  when  these  things  recur  to  us,  wc  feel  our  hearts 
warmed  with  the  generous  glow  of  gratitud<i  and  alfeetion. 

"  We  cannot  omit  observing,  with  very  particular  satisfac- 
tion, that  in  the  establishment  of  the  corps  the  whole  of  the  of- 
ficers are  included,  and  in  the  ranks  they  respectively  bore. 

"  Wishing  you  <'very  success  in  your  public  pursuits,  and 
the  most  perfect  domestic  happiness,  we  have  the  honour  to 
be,  with  the  greatest  regard,  and  most  perfect  esteem, 

"  Yours,  &c.  dtc." 
"Signed  on  b<'half  of  the  officers 

"of  the  regiment  by        "  I?.  yVUMSTRONG,  Major, 

"JOHN  SAUiNDEKS,  Captain." 


APPENDIX. 


319 


ry,  and  the 
prevent  it, 
the  esteem 

[1  America 
rou  person- 
(1  that  you 
mmstances 
A-ishes  and 
bappiness." 

1st,  1783. 
I  the  course 
ited  with  its 
ind  respect, 
n  in  which 
er  and  com- 
road  to  mili- 
1  us  its  dan- 
ole  tenor  of 
position  and 
iliir  manner, 
ard  zral,  in 
|o  our  Sove- 
ious  marks 
ard  lor  our 
1  our  hearts 
IndaHeotion. 
lar  satisl'ac- 
loleoftheol'- 
itively  bore, 
lursuits,  and 
III'  honour  to 
iHteem, 
[rs,  «&o.  <kc." 

Major, 
IS,  Captain." 


k  FEW  ADDITIONS  ARE  MADE  TO  THE  AUTHOR'S  APPENDIX  :     THE    EXTRACTS   HAVE   AN 
INCREASED  INTEREST  IN  CONNECTION  WITH  HIS  JOURNAL. 


Page  18.     The  Queeji\s  Rangers,  ^c.  ^c. 

Before  the  command  of  the  Rangers  was  given  to  the 
author,  the  corps  had  distinguished  itself  in  the  service,  and 
had  attracted  the  attention  of  the  Commander  in  Chief.  In 
the  Pennsylvania  Ledger,  newspaper,  of  December  3d,  1777, 
was  printed  the  following  notice  : — 

"  No  regiment  in  the  army  has  gained  more  honour  this 
campaign  than  Major  Wemys's  (or  the  Queen's)  Rangers  ; 
they  have  been  engaged  in  every  principal  service,  and  be- 
haved nobly  ;  indeed  most  of  the  officers  have  been  wound- 
ed since  we  took  the  field  in  Pennsylvania.  General  Knip- 
hausen,  after  the  action  of  the  11th  of  September,  at  Bran- 
dywine,  despatched  an  aid-de-camp  to  General  Howe  with 
an  account  of  it :  what  he  said  concerning  it  was  short,  but 
to  the  purpose.  Tell  the  General  (says  he)  I  must  be  silent 
as  to  the  behaviour  of  the  Rangers,  for  I  f  ven  want  words 
to  express  my  own  astonirhia'^nt  to  give  him  an  idea  of  it. 
The  13th  the  following  appeiiicd  in  orders:  'The  Comman- 
der in  Chief  desire?'  to  convey  to  the  olHcers  and  men  of  the 
Queen's  Rangers  his  approbation  and  acknowledgment  Itjr 
their  spirited  and  gallant  behaviour  in  the  engagement  of 
tlu!  11th  instant,  and  to  assure  them  how  well  he  is  satisded 
with  their  distinguished  conduct  on  that  day.  His  Excel- 
lency only  regrets  their  havin}.;  sulh'red  so  nmch  in  the  gal- 
lant execution  of  their  duty.'" 

Page   103.     Captain    Saunders,  patndling  towards   Bijiam 
Bridge,  ^h'.  ^h\ 

The  New  York  Commercial  Advertiser  of  October  13tli, 
1843,  contained  an  article  froui  which  an  extract  may  pro- 


320 


APPENDIX. 


'  i' 


.^t      . 


'      ! 


1'* 
*,  f  . 

,  r  ij  t 


.» 


.4' ; 


perly  be  here  introduced.  After  quoting  the  paragraph  on 
the  103d  page,  the  writer  goes  on  :  "  Whether  the  imputa- 
tion upon  the  honour  of  Colonel  Thomas,  involved  in  this 
paragraph,  is  true  or  not,  we  cannot  positively  decide,  ^ol. 
Simcoe,  from  the  bitterness  of  his  prejudices  against  the 
Whigs,  would  of  course  be  disposed  to  present  the  case  in 
its  worst  aspect.  It  is  but  just,  however,  to  Col.  S.  to  admit 
that  we  have  discovered  a  piece  of  testimony  going  direct- 
ly to  maintain  what  he  has  said  in  relation  to  the  violation 
of  his  parole  by  Col.  Thomas. 

"  In  rumaging  one  of  our  drawers  of  old  manuscript  col- 
lections, on  Wednesday,  we  found  a  couple  of  sheets  of  very 
interesting  reminiscences  connected  with  the  war  of  the 
revolution,  in  New  York  and  its  vicinity.  Among  other 
matters  of  curious  import,  it  contains  a  particular  account 
of  the  capture  of  Col.  Thomas,  of  his  detention  on  Long 
Island,  and  of  his  most  extraordinary  escape ;  admitting, 
withal,  that  he  did  violate  his  parole.  The  good  woman  to 
whom  he  was  in  the  main  indebted  for  his  safety,  had  pro- 
bably taken  a  lesson  from  the  Jewish  *  wench'  who,  under 
equally  emergent  circumstances,  concealed  the  messengers 
conveying  to  David  the  state  of  affairs  in  Jerusalem,  when 
the  unhappy  monarch  was  flying  before  the  legions  of  his 
treacherous  son. 

"  We  regret  that  we  have  forgotten  to  whom  we  are  in- 
debted ibr  this  manuscript  If  we  do  not  mistake,  however, 
it  was  handed  to  us  two  or  three  years  since,  by  an  elderly 
gentleman  from  Long  Island.  Be  that  as  it  may,  it  comes 
in  very  opportunely  in  connection  with  the  revolutionary 
recollection.-*  revived  by  the  narrative  of  Col.  Simcoe." 

THE  MANI'HCRIIT. 

•  *#**#»  W'henever  the  Hritish  army  took 
possession  of  Long  Island,  the  inhabitants  were  ordered  to 
appear  at  Gen.  Howe's  head  quarters,  to  take  tlie  oath  of 


APPENDIX. 


881 


igraph  on 
e  imputa- 
ed  \n  this 
cide.    '^ol. 
gainst  the 
tie  case  in 
S.  to  admit 
>ing  direct- 
le  violation 

uscript  col- 
jets  of  very 
war  of  the 
mong  other 
lar  account 
on  on  Long 
;  admitting, 
)d  woman  to 
'ty,  had  pro- 
who,  under 
messengers 
ialem,  when 
;ions  of  his 

we  are  in- 
ce,  however, 
ly  an  elderly 
ay,  it  comes 
'volutionary 
limcoe." 


|h  army  took 
«  onlered  to 
the  oath  of 


allegiance.  Many  attended  and  were  sworn,  who  received 
a  certificate  of  protection,  for  which  they  had  to  pay  a  dou- 
ceur. They  were  then  ordered  to  wear  a  red  band  or  rag 
in  their  hat,  as  a  badge  of  protection.  Whenever  it  was 
discovered  that  a  red  badge  afibrded  safety  and  protection 
to  the  person  who  wore  it,  every  white  man  and  negro,  with 
all  the  boys  in  the  country,  mounted  a  red  rag  in  their  hats, 
which  soon  caused  the  abandonment  of  this  badge  of  slave- 
ry. In  the  year  '77,  when  the  Americans  had  captured 
many  Hessian  and  British  prisoners,  and  could  retaliate  on 
them,  for  the  cruelties  which  the  Americans  suffered,  the 
British  then  relaxed  in  their  severity  towards  the  prisoners 
of  the  American  army — the  oflicers  were  removed  from  th<! 
prisons,  ..\j  parolled  to  four  of  the  towns  of  King's  county, 
viz.  to  Flatbush,  Flatlands,  New  Utrecht  and  Gravesend, 
where  they  were  billeted  on  the  inhabitants.  After  the  pri- 
soner officers  were  qu!irt(M'ed  in  those  towns,  the  inhabitants 
enjoyed  peace,  prestn'vcd  the  produce  of  their  labour,  and 
became  rich  ;  they  also  received  payment  for  the  board  of 
the  officers  ;  which  many  of  them  never  deserved,  for  the 
contempt  with  which  the  prisoners  were  treated.  The  pri- 
soners were  strictly  forbidden  to  cross  the  ridge  of  hills,  or 
to  go  to  New  York  ;  either  was  deomed  a  breach  of  paroh'. 
Several  b-oke  their  j)arnle  c"  .covered,  but  several  were* 
discovered  and  remanded  to  prison.  Major  Howne  spraiiy 
from  the  custody  of  tin'  ollieer  who  was  eonduftiiie:  liini  to 
New  York-,  and  escaped,  ("ol.  Thomas,  of  West  Chester, 
also  escaped  from  the  ollieer;  his  case,  iiowever,  was  mark- 
ed with  extreme  dillicully,  but  he  succeeded  to  clear  the  ' 
British  in  the  end. 

"This  ollieer  was  surprised  in  his  own  hous<',  in  W»'st 
Chesle^  at  (lay  i)realv.  by  a  (l<'tachnieiit  ol  dragoons^  He 
had  gone  to  his  house  in  the  ev<'iiing,  a  spy  bii.iight  the  in- 
telligence to  the  British  post,  and  u  detaclunent  of  horse  was 
immediately  sent  to  seize  him.  His  house  was  surrounded 
before  he  knew  it.  when  he  took  his  musket  and  shot  a  dra- 
yd* 


332 


APPENDIX. 


im^T 


i''N 


If  ;' 

M 


goon  at  his  door ;  he  ran  up  stairs,  stepped  on  a  piazza,  and 
sprang  over  the  enemy  who  were  below  it ;  leaped  a  fence 
and  ran  for  a  piece  of  woods.  Thus  the  bird  would  have 
flown  ;  but  one  of  the  officers,  who  had  a  fleet  horse,  leaped 
the  fence  and  took  Thomas,  by  laying  the  flat  of  his  sword 
gently  on  his  head,  when  Thomas  surrendered  and  was  pa- 
rolled  on  Long  Island. 

"  After  he  had  broken  his  parole,  and  escaped  from  the 
officer,  he  returned  to  New  Lotts,  where  he  remained  in 
the  woods  secretly  for  several  days,  and  received  provisions 
from  his  fellow  officers,  until  he  got  an  opportunity  to  go  to 
New  York,  where  he  joined  a  party  of  wood-cutters.  Tho- 
mas was  in  disguise,  and  had  permitted  his  beard  to  grow. 
The  British  knew  he  was  in  New  York,  and  were  searching 
for  him  with  a  negro  who  knew  him  well.  They  came  to 
the  house  where  lie  was  with  the  wood-cutters.  Thomas 
saw  them  from  a  window,  when  they  came  to  the  door,  and 
went  in  bed  ;  when  his  face  was  uncovered,  the  negro  saw 
him  and  said,  tfiiit  is  not  Thomas. 

"  lie  then  communicated  his  situation  to  Mr.  John  Frank- 
lyn,  who  provided  a  place  for  him  in  the  house  of  a  faithful 
widow.  The  British  suspected  that  he  was  concealed  in 
this  house,  and  a  party  was  sent  there  also  to  search  for 
him;  the  widow  was  apprised  of  their  coming,  took  Tho- 
mas down  into  i\w  cellar,  tiinird  a  hogshead  over  him,  and 
tht^ii  tlmsv  half  a  bushel  of  salt  on  the  head  of  the  tub,  and 
hill  liini.  The  house  and  cellar  wi-rc  searched,  and  Thomas 
escaped  by  the  widow's  stratngem.  .lohn  P^ranklyn,  Henry 
Ryker,  and  another  pj'rson  of  New  York  known  by  No.  ouf, 
kept  a  canoe  eoneeaird  in  the  barn  of  i\o.  one,  near  (Jiren- 
wirh,  on  the  North  river  ;  when  a  favourable  opportunity 
occurred,  Frenklyn  removed  Thomas  from  the  widow's 
house,  and  No.  one  conveyed  him  across  the  North  river  to 
Port  Lee,  when  he  was  safe  ;  thus  Col.  Thomas  miraculous- 
ly escaped." 


'"*f^\    '■!' 


APPENDIX. 


323 


iazza,  and 
ed  a  fence 
Duld  have 
rse,  leaped 
his  sword 
id  was  pa- 

d  from  the 
-mainod  in 
I  provisions 
ity  to  go  to 
ters.     Tho- 
rd  to  grow, 
e  starching 
ley  came  to 
s.     Thomas 
he  door,  and 
3  negro  saw 

John  Frank- 
of  a  faithful 
!onc('uled  in 
>  search  for 
took  Tho- 
r  him,  and 
the  tub,  and 
nd  Thomas 
ilyii,  Henry 
)y  No.  o!H', 
near  Clreen- 
opnort  unity 
HI    widow's 
orth  river  to 
miraculcus- 


Pages  109  to  119      Lt.  Col.  Simcoe  had  information  thatfifUj 
flat-boats,  upon  carriages,  4^.  ^c. 

The  affair  narrated  in  the  Journal  is  told  in  Lee's  Me- 
moirs of  the  War,  &c.  pages  192,  193,  of  the  second  edi- 
tion. Lee's  account  of  the  expedition,  written  in  his  usual 
happy  manner,  is  preceded  by  a  handsome  compliment  to 
Lieut.  Col.  Simcoe.  The  praise  awarded  to  the  British  offi- 
cer deserves  consideration,  coming  from  the  distinguished 
rebel  and  gallant  young  soldier  commanding  the  American 
Legion,  which  was  a  corps  similar  in  most  points  to  Simcoe's, 
and  which,  in  the  defence  of  the  cause  of  independence,  no 
less  distinguished  itself. 

"This  officer  commanded  a  legionary  corps  call(;d  the 
Queen's  Rangers,  and  had  during  the  war  signalised  him- 
self upon  various  occasions.  He  was  a  man  of  letters,  and 
like  the  Romans  and  Grecians,  cultivated  science  amid  the 
turmoil  of  camp.  He  was  enterprising,  resolute,  and  perse- 
vering ;  weighing  well  his  project  before  entered  upon,  and 
promptly  seizing  ev(>ry  advantage  which  offered  in  the 
course  of  execution.  General  Washington  expecting  a 
French  fleet  upon  our  coast  in  1779-80,  and  desirous  of  be- 
ing thoroughly  prepared  for  moving  upon  New  York,  in 
case  the  combined  force  should  warrant  it,  had  made  ready 
a  numbi  r  of  boats,  which  were  placed  at  Middlebrook,  a 
small  village  up  the  llaritan  river,  abov(^  Brunswick.  Sir 
Henry  ("linfuu  beip.g  informed  of  this  preparation,  determin- 
ed to  de!>ir(»y  the  boats.  The  enterprise  was  committed  to 
Lt.  Col.  Simcoe.  He  crossed  from  New  York  to  Jilizabeth- 
town  Point  with  his  cavalry,  and  setting  out  after  night,  he 
readied  Middlebrook  undiscovered  and  unexpected.  Hav- 
ing executed  his  object,  hv  bafiled  all  our  f-llbrtsto  intercept 
hini  on  his  n-turn,  by  taking  a  circuitous  routv .  Instead  of 
turning  towards  Perth  Amboy,  which  was  sup|)osed  to  be 
the  most  probable  course,  keeping  the;  Haritun  on  his  right, 


324 


APPENDIX. 


,:V         ( 


^:::j^ 


m^'^' 


I 


he  passed  that  river,  taking  the  direction  towards  Monmouth 
county,  leaving  Brunswick  some  miles  to  his  left.  Here 
was  stationed  a  body  of  militia,  who  being  apprised  (it  be- 
ing now  day)  of  the  enemy's  proximity,  made  a  daring  effort 
to  stop  him,  but  failed  in  the  attempt.  Simcoe,  bringing  up 
the  rear,  had  his  horse  killed,  by  which  accident  he  was 
made  prisoner.  The  cavalry,  deprived  of  their  leader,  con- 
tinued to  press  forward  under  the  second  in  command,  still 
holding  the  route  to  English  town.  As  soon  as  the  militita 
at  Brunswick  moved  upon  the  enemy,  an  express  was  des- 
patched to  lit.  Col.  Lee,  then  posted  in  the  neighbourhood 
of  English  town,  waiting  for  the  expected  arrival  of  the 
French  Heei,  advising  him  of  this  extraordinary  adventure. 

"The  legioii  cavalry  instantly  advanced  towards  the 
British  horse  ;  but  notwithstanding  the  utmost  diligence 
was  used  to  gain  the  road  leading  to  South  Amboy  (which 
now  was  |)lainly  the  object)  before  the  enemy  could  reach 
it,  the  American  cavalry  did  not  effect  it.  Nevertheless  the 
pursuit  was  continued,  and  the  legion  horse  came  up  with 
the  rear  soon  after  a  body  of  infantry  sent  ovei  to  South 
Aniboy  from  Staten  Island  by  Sir  Henry  Clinton  to  meet 
Simcoe,  had  Joined,  and  gave  safety  to  the  harrassed  and 
successl'ul  foe. 

"  This  (Miterprise  was  considered,  by  both  armies,  among 
the  hatidsoniest  exploits  of  the  war.  Simcoe  executed  eoni- 
pletely  his  object,  then  deemed  very  important ;  and  tra- 
v«'rs(>(l  the  country,  from  Elizabetlitown  Point  to  South  Am- 
boy. lifty-live  miles,  in  the  course  of  the  night  and  morning; 
passing  through  a  most  hostil(>  r/gion  of  armed  citizens; 
ne<'(  -isiirily  •skirting  Hrunswicl\.  a  military  station  :  jiroeeed- 
ing  not  more  than  eight  or  nine  miles  from  the  legion  ol'  Lee, 
his  last  point  of  danger,  and  which  became  increased  from 
the  debilitated  condition  to  wliieli  his  troops  were  reduced 
by  previous  fatigue.  What  is  very  <'Xtraor(linnry.  I.t.  Col. 
S'meoe  being  obliged  to  W'tn]  once  in  the  course  of  the  nisiht, 
stopped  at  a  depot  ol'  forage  collected  for  the  Contin(<utal 


APPENDIX. 


325 


[onmouth 
ft.     Here 
ed  (it  be- 
ping  effort 
•inging  up 
it  he  was 
ader,  con- 
nand,  still 
he  militia 
}  was  des- 
ibourhood 
ra\  of  the 
idventure. 
rt'ards  the 
diligence 
ov  (which 
ould  reach 
■the less  the 
le  up  with 
1  to  South 
m  to  meet 
assed  and 

s,  among 
ted  com- 
iind  tra- 
outli  Ain- 
nioniing; 
citizens  ; 
proc<'ed- 

1  of  liCe, 
ised  from 

reduced 
.  \.t.  Col. 
the  nisilit, 
untineiital 


on 


army,  assumed  the  character  of  Lee's  cavalry,  waked  up 
the  commissary  about  midnight,  drew  the  customary  allow- 
ance of  forage,  and  gave  the  usual  vouchers,  signing  the 
name  of  the  legion  Quarter-master,  without  being  discover- 
ed by  the  American  forage  commissary  or  his  assistants. 
The  dress  of  both  corps  was  the  same,  green  coatees  and 
leather  breeches ;  yet  the  success  of  the  stratagem  is  as- 
tonishing." 

Page  158.     General  Arnold. 
Extract  from  Dunlap's  History  of  New  York.  Vol.  II.  p.  201. 

"  It  appears  strange,  that  Sir  Henry  Clinton  should  entrust 
a  traitor  with  the  lives  and  liberty  of  armies  as  he  did.  But 
I  have  been  assured  by  a  gentleman  of  the  most  unblemish- 
ed character,  now  far  advanced  in  years,  that  when  Arnold 
departed  from  New  York  in  the  command  of  the  army  with 
which  he  committed  depredations  in  the  Chesapeake,  'a 
dormant  commission'  was  given  to  Colonels  Dundas  and 
Simcoe,  jointly,  by  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  authorising  them,  if 
they  suspected  Arnold  of  sinister  intent,  to  supercede  him, 
and  put  him  in  arrest.  This  proves  that  Clinton  did  not 
trust  him,  and  we  may  reasonably  suppose  that  such  a 
watch  was  set  upon  his  conduct  on  other  occasions. 

"  The  gentleman  who  communicated  this  fact  to  me,  was 
in  his  youtli  a  confidential  clerk  in  Sir  Henry  Clinton's  office, 
and  copied  and  delivered  the  dormant  commission  as  direct- 
ed. This  explains  a  passage  in  Clinton's  letter  to  his  gov- 
ernment, in  which  he  says,  'this  detachment  is  under  the 
command  of  Cleneral  Arnold,  with  whom  I  have  thought  it 
right  to  send  Colonels  Dunoas  and  Simcoe,  as  being  officers 
of  experience,  and  much  in  my  confidence.' " 

Paffe  237.     M.  Fai/ctlc,  in  his  public  letters,  4'C.  ^-e. 

Extract  from  Washington's  Writings,  edited  by  Jarcd 
Sparks.     Vol.  Vlll.  pp.  100,  lOl— note. 


836 


APPENDIX. 


■•;)••    J 


"  A  retreat  had  been  recently  commenced  by  Lord  Corn- 
wallis,  after  pursuing  Lafayette  to  the  interior  of  Virginia. 
Lafayette  said : 

" '  The  enemy  have  been  so  kind  as  to  retire  before  us. 
Twice  I  gave  them  a  chance  of  fighting,  (taking  care  not  to 
engage  farther  than  I  pleased,)  but  they  continued  their  re- 
trograde motion.  Our  number  is,  I  think,  exaggerated  to 
them,  and  our  seeming  boldness  confirms  the  opinion.  I 
thought  at  first  that  Lord  Cornwallis  wanted  to  get  me  down 
as  low  as  possible,  and  use  the  cavalry  to  advantage.  But 
it  appears  he  does  not  as  yet  come  out,  and  our  position  will 
admit  of  partial  affairs.  His  Lordship  had  (exclusive  of 
the  riflemen  from  Portsmouth,  said  to  be  six  hundred,)  four 
thousand  men,  eight  hundred  of  whom  were  dragoons  or 
mcunted  infantry.  Our  force  is  about  equal  to  his ;  but  only 
fifteen  hundred  are  regulars,  and  fifty  dragoons.  Our  little 
action  marks  the  retreat  of  the  enemy.  From  the  place,  at 
which  they  first  began  to  retreat,  to  Williamsburg,  is  up- 
wards of  one  hundred  miles.  His  Lordship  has  done  us  no 
harm  of  any  consequence.  He  has  lost  a  very  large  part 
of  his  former  conquests,  and  has  not  made  any  in  this  state. 
Gen.  Greene  demanded  of  me  only  to  hold  my  ground  in 
Virginia  ;  but  the  movements  of  Lord  Cornwallis  may  an- 
swer better  purposes  than  that  in  the  military  line.' — La- 
fayette's MS.  Letter,  June  28th. 

"  In  the  following  letter  to  the  Governor  of  Virginia  of  the 
same  date,  Lafayette  gives  an  account  of  the  recent  action : 

"  '  Colonel  8imcoe  was  so  lucky  as  to  avoid  a  part  of  the 
stroke  ;  but,  although  the  whole  of  the  light  corps  could  not 
arrive  in  time,  some  of  them  did.  Major  Macpherson  hav- 
ing taken  up  fifty  light  infantry  behind  fifty  dragoons,  over- 
took Simcoe,  and,  regardless  of  numbers,  made  an  immedi- 
ate charge.  He  was  supported  by  the  riflemen,  who  be- 
haved most  gallantly  and  did  great  execution.  The  alarm- 
guns  were  fired  at  W'iltiamshurg  (only  six  miles  distant  from 
the  field.)     A  ('rtuchinent  just  then  going  to  Gloucester  was 


APPENDIX. 


327 


,ord  Corn- 
Virginia. 

before  us. 
care  not  to 
id  their  re- 
^erated  to 
)pinion.     I 
t  me  down 
;age.     But 
jsition  will 
[elusive  of 
dred,)  four 
ragoons  or 
s ;  but  only 
Our  little 
iie  place,  at 
)urg,  is  up- 
done us  no 
large  part 
I  this  state, 
ground  in 
is  may  an- 
line.' — La- 
in i  a  of  the 
pnt  action : 
lart  of  the 
s  could  not 
rrson  hav- 
oons,  over- 
in  immedi- 
who  be- 
'hc  alarm- 
stant  from 
ccster  was 


recalled,  and  the  whole  British  army  came  out  to  save  Sim- 
coe.  They  retired  next  morning,  when  our  army  got  with- 
in striking  distance. 

" '  Our  loss  is  two  captains,  two  lieutenants,  ten  privates 
wounded ;  two  lieutenants,  one  sergeant,  six  privates  kill- 
ed ;  one  lieutenant,  twelve  privates,  whose  fate  is  not  known; 
one  sergeant  taken.  The  enemy  had  about  sixty  killed, 
among  whom  arc  several  officers,  and  about  one  hundred 
wounded.  They  acknowledge  the  action  was  smart,  and 
Lord  Cornwallis  was  heard  to  express  himself  vehemently 
upon  the  disproportion  between  his  and  our  killed,  which 
must  be  attributed  to  the  great  skill  of  our  riflemen.  This 
little  success  has  given  great  satisfaction  to  the  troops,  and 
increased  their  ardour.  I  have  put  all  the  riflemen  under 
Campbell.  To-morrow  I  intend  to  reconnoitre  a  position 
below  Byrd's  Ordinary.  Your  return  to  Richmond,  and  this 
little  affair,  will  particularly  mark  his  Lordship's  retreat, 
and  the  recovery  of  every  part  of  the  state  not  under  naval 
protection.' — MS.  Letter,  June  2Sth." 

Page  251.     T/ie  capitulation  at  York  Town. 

Extract  from  "  th<>  general  return  of  oflicers  and  privates 
surrendered  prisoners  of  war,  the  19th  of  October,  1781,  to 
the  allied  army,  under  the  command  of  General  Washing- 
ton, taken  from  the  original  muster  rolls :" — 

Queen's  Rangers — 1  lieutenant-colonel,  1  major,  10  cap- 
tains, 15  lieutenants,  11  cornets,  3  quarter-masters,  2  sur- 
geons, 24  sergeants,  5  trumpeters,  248  rank  and  file — total 
320. 

Page  xil.  of  Memoir  of  the  Author. 

The  reader  will  find  in  Stone's  Life  of  Joseph  Brant,  (or 
Thayendauegea,)  the  Indian  Chi(;ftain,  considerable  discus- 
sion of  Governor  Simcoe's  measures  while  in  Uj)per  Canada. 
There  appears  to  have  been  an  intimate  friendship  between 
the  Chief  and  the  Governor,  the  latter  bringing  from  Eng- 


328 


APPENDIX. 


n 


land  a  letter  of  introduction  to  the  former  from  the  Duke  of 
Northumberland.  The  annexed  extract  is  from  the  book 
referred  to,  Vol.  II.  p.  337 : 

"  The  followinfT  is  the  letter,  which  the  character  of  the 
parties  and  the  ciro  uiustances  of  the  case  render  worthy  of 
preservation : 


I* 


^^1 


r 


"  •  Northumberland  House,  Sept.  3d,  1791. 
"  '  My  Dear  Joseph, 

" '  Colonel  Sin:coe,  who  is  going  out  Governor  of  Upper 
Canada,  is  kind  enough  to  promise  to  deliver  this  to  you, 
with  a  brace  of  pistols  which  I  desire  you  will  keep  for  my 
sake.  I  must  particularly  recommend  the  Colonel  to  you  and 
the  nation.  He  is  a  most  intimate  fried  of  mine,  and  is 
possessed  of  every  good  quality  which  can  recommend  him 
to  your  friendship.  He  is  brave,  humane,  sensible,  and  hon- 
est. You  may  safely  rely  upon  whatever  he  says,  for  he 
will  not  deceive  you.  He  loves  and  honours  the  Indians, 
whose  noble  sentiments  so  perfectly  correspond  with  his 
own.  He  wishes  to  live  upon  the  best  terms  with  them, 
and,  as  Governor,  will  have  it  in  his  power  to  be  of  much 
service  to  them.  In  short,  he  is  worthy  to  be  a  Mohawk. 
Love  him  at  first  for  my  sake,  and  you  will  soon  come  to 
love  him  for  his  own. 

" '  I  was  very  glad  to  hear  that  you  had  received  the  rifle 
safe  which  I  sent  you,  and  hope  it  has  proved  useful  to  you. 
I  preserve  with  great  care  your  picture,  which  is  hung  up 
in  the  Duchess's  own  room. 

" '  Continue  to  me  your  friendship  and  esteem,  and  be- 
lieve me  ever  to  be,  with  the  greatest  truth, 

"  ♦  Your  affectionate  friend  and  brother, 

"  *  Northumberland, 
•  •♦  •  Captain  Joseph  Brant,  "  *  Thorighwegeri. 

Thayendanegea.'" 


M 


1  the  Duke  of 
)m  the  book 

acter  of  the 
er  worthy  of 


3d,  1791. 

or  of  Upper 
this  to  you, 
keep  for  my 
il  to  you  and 
nine,  and  is 
)mmend  him 
)le,  and  hon- 
says,  for  he 
the  Indians, 
nd  with  his 
1  with  them, 
be  of  much 
a  Mohawk, 
oon  come  to 

ived  the  rifle 
iseful  to  you. 
I  is  hung  up 

em,  and  be- 


LAND, 


orighwegeri. 


